Battle of Saratoga

1. Battle of Saratoga Turning Point of the Revolutionary War

2. 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

3. The Colonists • At Fort Ticonderoga • Gave up the Fort to the British

4. 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

5. 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

6. Benedict Arnold had courageous attacks • General Gates got most of the credit for this battle and this was reasons that Arnold became a traitor

7. 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

8. 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