BATTLE OF SARATOGATurning Point of the Revolutionary War

The British• General John Burgoyne and Sir William Howe-leading

British troops• Burgoyne in the North or Canada• Howe in the South or New Jersey and New York City• They wanted to cut off New England from the rest of

America• Burgoyne had 7,000 men and half of them Hessians • Threatened enemies with talk about having Native

American support

The Colonists• At Fort Ticonderoga• Gave up the Fort to the

British

• Howe decided to fight at Philadelphia, instead of meet up with Burgoyne

• Burgoyne continues to go South, along the Hudson River• His troops are getting farther and farther from their

supplies in Canada

Freeman’s Farm• Burgoyne realizes that Howe’s troops are not coming• Continental Army is lead by General Horatio Gates• Continental Army has “earthworks” with were made with

help from Thaddues Kosciuszko-a Polish engineer• Continental Army fired at the Burgoyne’s army that was

waiting for reinforcements• Burgoyne’s army tried to break through the earthworks

three times without success

• Benedict Arnold had courageous attacks• General Gates got most of the credit for this battle and

this was reasons that Arnold became a traitor

Saratoga• Burgoyne started retreating• Continental Army got between them and Albany• Burgoyne took the offensive on October 7, 1777• Burgoyne’s army was defeated• 86% of Burgoyne’s army was captured

Why is this Battle so important?• Victory over British• French started supporting the Americans

• Support of a large army-get money, supplies, and political support• The French did not want to be supporting the losing side