Mercenary

Real World Example

During the American Revolution, mercenaries played a significant role, with the British hiring over 30,000 German soldiers known as Hessians to fight against the American colonists. These mercenaries were important because they added strength to the British forces, making the conflict more challenging for the Americans. Their involvement demonstrated the lengths to which the British would go to maintain control over the colonies. Today, the concept of hiring mercenaries still exists in private military companies, influencing how nations approach conflicts without direct military involvement. For example, companies like Blackwater (now Academi) have been used in modern conflicts, showing how the legacy of mercenaries continues to shape military strategies and ethical discussions about warfare.