The Polish immigrant who saved the American Revolution

The American Revolution almost went The American Revolution almost went bankrupt until an immigrant stepped in bankrupt until an immigrant stepped in bankrupt until an immigrant stepped in to save it. His name was Haym Salomon to save it. His name was Haym Salomon to save it. His name was Haym Salomon and he was the founder's financial and he was the founder's financial and he was the founder's financial lifeline. Salomon arrived in New York lifeline. Salomon arrived in New York lifeline. Salomon arrived in New York from Poland in 1775, just as the war was from Poland in 1775, just as the war was from Poland in 1775, just as the war was kicking off. Naturally, he immediately kicking off. Naturally, he immediately kicking off. Naturally, he immediately joined the Patriot Underground. The joined the Patriot Underground. The joined the Patriot Underground. The British arrested him not once, but twice British arrested him not once, but twice British arrested him not once, but twice for spying. The second time they for spying. The second time they for spying. The second time they sentenced him to death. Salomon escaped sentenced him to death. Salomon escaped sentenced him to death. Salomon escaped and went to Philadelphia, where Congress and went to Philadelphia, where Congress and went to Philadelphia, where Congress was drowning in debt. Soldiers weren't was drowning in debt. Soldiers weren't was drowning in debt. Soldiers weren't getting paid and the young nation getting paid and the young nation getting paid and the young nation definitely needed cash. Luckily, he was definitely needed cash. Luckily, he was definitely needed cash. Luckily, he was already one of the most skilled already one of the most skilled already one of the most skilled financial brokers in America, so he got financial brokers in America, so he got financial brokers in America, so he got to work. He arranged loans, he raised to work. He arranged loans, he raised to work. He arranged loans, he raised money for the revolutionary cause, and money for the revolutionary cause, and money for the revolutionary cause, and he personally lent $600,000 to leaders he personally lent $600,000 to leaders he personally lent $600,000 to leaders like Alexander Hamilton and James like Alexander Hamilton and James like Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, the equivalent of billions of Madison, the equivalent of billions of Madison, the equivalent of billions of dollars today. He even helped finance dollars today. He even helped finance dollars today. He even helped finance George Washington's final military George Washington's final military George Washington's final military campaign at Yorktown, the one that won campaign at Yorktown, the one that won campaign at Yorktown, the one that won the war. the war. the war. For all his efforts, Haym Salomon died For all his efforts, Haym Salomon died For all his efforts, Haym Salomon died penniless in 1783. penniless in 1783. penniless in 1783. Despite the fact that the US owed him Despite the fact that the US owed him Despite the fact that the US owed him hundreds of thousands. That's millions hundreds of thousands. That's millions hundreds of thousands. That's millions in today's dollars.

in today's dollars. in today's dollars. Today, his name is largely forgotten. Today, his name is largely forgotten. Today, his name is largely forgotten. But without Salomon funding the But without Salomon funding the But without Salomon funding the revolution, America might not have revolution, America might not have revolution, America might not have survived at all.