Final answer:
The Battle of Trenton was a significant victory for the Continental Army, where they defeated German mercenaries, known as Hessians, hired by Great Britain. Led by General George Washington, the surprise attack on December 26, 1776, resulted in the capture of over nine hundred Hessian soldiers and boosted American morale.
Step-by-step explanation:
The troops defeated by the Continental Army's surprise attack in the Battle of Trenton were the Hessians, which were German mercenaries hired by Great Britain. On December 26, 1776, General George Washington led his Continental Army across the icy Delaware River, catching the Hessian forces off guard in Trenton, New Jersey. Despite the harsh weather conditions and difficult crossing, Washington's troops managed to overcome the disoriented Hessians, and the action resulted in over nine hundred Hessian captives, as well as a significant haul of weapons and supplies. The victory at the Battle of Trenton was a critical one for Washington’s army, serving as a turning point that revitalized American morale and sustained the revolutionary cause. The battle was marked by Washington's unconventional warfare tactics, which included a daring attack during the winter period that was traditionally a time of military inactivity.