Download
1 / 15
210 likes | 1.18k Views
The Battle of Saratoga. The turning point in the Revolutionary War. Embarrassing the British. The defeats at Trenton and Princeton embarrassed the British. Spring 1777 – The British wanted to strike back The British attack the Patriots at Fort Ticonderoga, Lake Ontario, and New York City
E N D
The Battle of Saratoga The turning point in the Revolutionary War
Embarrassing the British • The defeats at Trenton and Princeton embarrassed the British. • Spring 1777 – The British wanted to strike back • The British attack the Patriots at Fort Ticonderoga, Lake Ontario, and New York City • The three armies would come together at Albany, New York
Delays to Albany • The British successfully recapture Fort Ticonderoga • Burgoyne was slow in heading towards Albany • Colonists had chopped down large trees across his path to slow his progress • Burgoyne was also greedy • He was travelling with 30 wagons of luxury goods
Delays to Albany • Attacking Philadelphia • General Howe decided to attack Philadelphia first, before heading towards Albany • General Howe captures Philadelphia after winning at Brandywine and Paoli • The Continental Congress flees
Delays to Albany • Burgoyne runs low on food and supplies • Sends 800 troops and Native Americans to Capture Bennington, Vermont • The Greene Mountain Boys attack the British at Bennington • Burgoyne flees to Saratoga, New York
Waiting in Saratoga • Burgoyne was in Saratoga waiting for reinforcements • They never came • Howe was still in Philadelphia • St. Leger had been stopped by the Americans at Fort Stanwix • Burgoyne was on his own
The Battle of Saratoga • Burgoyne’s troops were badly outnumbered by the Patriots – 3/1 • General Horatio Gates – attacked from the South • Benedict Arnold – attacked from the North • The British troops were surrounded • October 17, 1777 • Patriots capture Burgoyne’s entire army • 5,700 British Soldiers • All their Weapons
The Turning Point in the Revolution • Great Victory for the Patriots • Capture John Burgoyne • General Howe Resigns • British appoint a new General • General Henry Clinton • Morale Booster for the Patriots • Led to increased foreign support for the Patriots • “This event will make one of the most brilliant pages of American History.” • Patriot James Thacher
Gaining Foreign Allies • European nations realized that the United States might actually win its war against Great Britain. • Some European nations gave Americans money and supplies but would not committed to an alliance. • Benjamin Franklin seeks to gain support of the French and Spanish in the Americans’ fight for independence.
France joins the War • France sees that the Americans will probably win • February 1778 – France and the U.S. form an alliance • France declares war on Great Britain • France sends money, equipment, and troops to the American Patriots
Spain joins the War • Spain joins the war because of their hatred toward Great Britain • 1779 – Spain Declares war on Great Britain • Bernardo de Gálvez’s -raised army against the British • Captured British troops and Forts in the South
Individuals Support Patriot’s Cause • Marquis de Lafayette • Wealthy Frenchman • Summer 1777 • Spoke little English • Lacked combat experience • Gave $200,000 to the Patriots • Becomes a trusted aid to Washington • “The welfare of America is closely bound up with the welfare of mankind.”
