how the battle of saratoga changed the course of the war

by Mrs. Jude Hand PhD 9 min read

How the battle of Saratoga changed the course of the war The Battle of Saratoga changed the course of the war because it was the first main fight which proved that the Americans can win the revolution. First of all, the battle ignited revolutionary spirit among the American revolutionaries who fought for freedom.

The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. The American defeat of the superior British army lifted patriot morale, furthered the hope for independence, and helped to secure the foreign support needed to win the war.

Full Answer

Why was the Battle of Saratoga so important?

  • The battle of Saratoga was important because it was a turning point in the revolution. ...
  • helped secure an important french alliance for the americans during the revolution. ...
  • 1777 the battle of Saratoga convinced the French to join in on the american side. ...
  • played a huge role in the victory of the war. ...

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What did the Battle of Saratoga convince the French?

The surrender of the British General John Burgoyne at Saratoga, on October 17, 1777 convinced France to side with American Colonies against Britain. During the American Revolution, the American colonies faced the significant challenge of conducting international diplomacy and seeking the international support it needed to fight against the British.

What did the Battle of Saratoga not allow the British to do?

Answer: The Battle of Saratoga did not allow the British to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies. British general John Burgoyne had proposed the plan to isolate New England from the rest of the colonies.

How did winning the Battle of Saratoga effect other nations?

The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point in the American Revolution. It gave the Patriots a major morale boost and persuaded the French, Spanish and Dutch to join their cause against a mutual rival. France’s naval support eventually helped the Continental Army win the final Battle of Yorktown, leading to the end of the American Revolution.

What was the significance of the Battle of Saratoga?

The Battle of Saratoga was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. The American defeat of the superior British army lifted patriot morale, furthered the hope for independence, and helped to secure the foreign support needed to win the war.

What was the significance of the victory of Yorktown?

France’s financial and military support contributed to Washington’s victory at Yorktown in 1781, which effectively ended America’s War for Independence. Before the Battle. By mid-September, Burgoyne’s forces reach the northern outskirts of the small village ...

Where did Burgoyne attack the Americans?

Burgoyne sends a reconnaissance force to attack Americans at Bemis Heights, but the patriots get wind of the plan and force the British to withdraw to their well-defended Balcarres Redoubt. Several hundred yards north is the Breymann Redoubt, defended by only 200 German soldiers and officers.

Where did Horatio Gates build his defenses?

General Horatio Gates and his American soldiers had built formidable defenses on Bemis Heights, just south of Saratoga overlooking the Hudson. The two armies engaged in combat at Freeman’s Farm on September 19. While the British held off the Americans, their losses were great.

What was the main battle of the British in 1777?

By August, Burgoyne had captured Fort Ticonderoga, defeated fleeing American troops at Hubbardton (Vermont), and occupied Fort Edward, on the edge of the Hudson River. After a contingent of Burgoyne’s troops was defeated in the Battle of Bennington, his reduced forces marched south toward Saratoga in early September.

What was the most decisive battle of the Revolutionary War?

How it ended. American victory. One of the most decisive American battles of the Revolutionary War, Saratoga ended British general John Burgoyne's attempt to control the Hudson River Valley.

Where did Burgoyne capture?

By August, Burgoyne had captured Fort Ticonderoga, defeated fleeing American troops at Hubbardton (Vermont), and occupied Fort Edward, on the edge of the Hudson River. After a contingent of Burgoyne’s troops was defeated in the Battle of Bennington, his reduced forces marched south toward Saratoga in early September.

What were the major battles of the Saratoga Campaign?

Bennington. Saratoga. Freeman's Farm. Bemis Heights. Forts Clinton and Montgomery. Kingston. The Battles of Saratoga (September 19 and October 7, 1777) marked the climax of the Saratoga campaign, giving a decisive victory to the Americans over the British in the American Revolutionary War.

Who was the general who attacked the British at Saratoga?

Unknown to either side at Saratoga, General Lincoln and Colonel John Brown had staged an attack against the British position at Fort Ticonderoga.

How many men did Burgoyne lose in the Saratoga Campaign?

Further information on Burgoyne's surrender after these battles: Saratoga campaign § Surrender. Burgoyne had lost 1,000 men in the two battles, leaving him outnumbered by roughly 3 to 1; American losses came to about 500 killed and wounded.

What battle did Burgoyne surrender to?

His gains were erased when he again attacked the Americans in the October 7 Battle of Bemis Heights and the Americans captured a portion of the British defenses. Burgoyne was therefore compelled to retreat, and his army was surrounded by the much larger American force at Saratoga, forcing him to surrender on October 17.

Why did Burgoyne write to Clinton?

Burgoyne wrote to Clinton on September 23, requesting some sort of assistance or diversion to draw Gates' army away.

How many casualties did Burgoyne suffer?

Burgoyne had gained the field of battle, but suffered nearly 600 casualties. Most of these were to Hamilton's center column, where the 62nd was reduced to the size of a single company, and three quarters of the artillerymen were killed or wounded. American losses were nearly 300 killed and seriously wounded.

What was the first disposition of the American left at the Battle of Freeman's Farm?

Initial dispositions and movements at the Battle of Freeman's Farm, 19 September 1777. Both Burgoyne and Arnold understood the importance of the American left, and the need to control the heights there. After the morning fog lifted around 10 am, Burgoyne ordered the army to advance in three columns.

What was the first battle of Saratoga?

The first battle of Saratoga, the Battle of Freeman's Farm, took place on September 19, 1777. A militia of sharpshooters from Virginia harassed the British, while other colonist forces aggressively charged into battle with them. Burgoyne lost two men for every one on the American side.

When did Burgoyne surrender?

Burgoyne surrendered on October 17, 1777, in what would later be named Victory NY, where the Saratoga Monument memorializes that important day. Disgraced, Burgoyne returned to England, and was never given another command. These crucial colonist victories at the Battle of Saratoga persuaded the French to support the Americans with military aid, ...

What was the second battle of the Battle of Bemis Heights?

The second battle, the Battle of Bemis Heights, occur red on October 7, when Burgoyne determined to break free from the encircling colonial forces and drive them from the field. The British troops and their German allies were devastated, and nearly lost their entrenched positions. Fighting on horseback, Benedict Arnold, received a wound in his leg during this battle; his contribution to the battle is commemorated by a statue of his boot, with no other reference to the hero turned traitor.

What was the turning point of the American Revolution?

The Battle of Saratoga, comprising two significant battles during September and October of 1777, was a crucial victory for the Patriots during the American Revolution and is considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War.

Where did Burgoyne advance?

Colonist troops were felling trees and blocking Burgoyne's path, slowing the British considerably. By the time Burgoyne reached Fort Edward, they were running low on supplies.

What was the significance of the Battle of Saratoga?

It gave a decisive victory to the Americans over the British during the American Revolutionary War. The battle also saw great heroics by Benedict Arnold.

Who was in charge of the Northern Department at the Battle of Saratoga?

Gates went to Congress where he denounced Schuyler. On August 19, he took charge of the northern department. Washington sent Gates reinforcements for the Battle of Saratoga, including Generals Benjamin Lincoln and Benedict Arnold. Meanwhile, Burgoyne continued to march very slowly southward.

Where was Burgoyne in the Battle of Saratoga?

They are combined into the “Battle of Saratoga” for simplicity). At the Bemis Heights (south of Saratoga, north of Albany), Burgoyne collided with part of Gates’ army. The heights controlled the path southward (heights on one side, Hudson on the other).

What was the plan of Burgoyne?

The plan was as follows: One force under the command of Burgoyne would march south from Montreal down the Hudson River Valley.

How many troops did Burgoyne have?

The British Forces. Burgoyne assembled 8 regiments and was ready to set off from Fort St. John on June 12. But he was ordered to leave 2 behind, so he only had 3700 regular troops for the Battle of Saratoga. He was given 3000 Hessians, 450 Canadians and Loyalists, and about 400 Indians.

How many times did Arnold fight the British?

They stopped the British assault but were themselves pushed back. The fighting (the Battle of “Freeman’s Farm”) went back and forth six times until the British disengaged. The British lost 160 killed, 360 wounded, and 40 missing.

Why did Burgoyne flee to France?

He then fled to France to flee the other ones. His father in law eventually paid Burgoyne’s debts and got him another commission in the army, just in time for the 7 Years War. He commanded a dragoon unit with excellence. By 1760, he was a colonel in charge of a light dragoon regiment.

What was the divide and conquer strategy that Burgoyne presented to British ministers in London?

The divide-and-conquer strategy that Burgoyne presented to British ministers in London was to invade America from Canada by advancing down the Hudson Valley to Albany. There, he would be joined by other British troops under the command of Sir William Howe. Howe would be bringing his troops north from New Jersey and New York City.

What happened in September 1777?

On October 7, Burgoyne took the offensive. The troops crashed together south of the town of Saratoga, and Burgoyne's army was broken. In mop-up operations 86 percent of Burgoyne's command was captured.

Why was John Burgoyne called Johnny?

British general John Burgoyne earned the nickname "Gentleman Johnny" for his love of leisure and his tendency to throw parties between battles. His surrender to American forces at the Battle of Saratoga marked a turning point in the Revolutionary War.

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Overview

The Battles of Saratoga (September 19 and October 7, 1777) marked the climax of the Saratoga campaign, giving a decisive victory to the Americans over the British in the American Revolutionary War. British General John Burgoyne led a large invasion army southward from Canada in the Champlain Valley, hoping to meet a similar British force marching northward from New York City and anoth…

Background

The American Revolutionary War was approaching the two-year point, and the British changed their plans. They decided to split the Thirteen Colonies and isolate New England from what they believed to be the more Loyalist middle and southern colonies. The British command devised a plan to divide the colonies with a three-way pincer movement in 1777. The western pincer under the com…

First Saratoga: Battle of Freeman's Farm (September 19)

Moving cautiously, since the departure of his Native American support had deprived him of reliable reports on the American position, Burgoyne advanced to the south after crossing the Hudson. On September 18 the vanguard of his army had reached a position just north of Saratoga, about 4 miles (6.4 km) from the American defensive line, and skirmishes occurred between American scoutin…

Interlude

Burgoyne's council discussed whether to attack the next day, and a decision was reached to delay further action at least one day, to September 21. The army moved to consolidate the position closer to the American line while some men collected their dead. The attack on the 21st was called off when Burgoyne received a letter dated September 12 from Henry Clinton, who was commandin…

Second Saratoga: Battle of Bemis Heights (October 7)

While Burgoyne's troop strength was nominally higher, he likely had only about 5,000 effective, battle-ready troops on October 7, as losses from the earlier battles in the campaign and desertions following the September 19 battle had reduced his forces. General Riedesel advised that the army retreat. Burgoyne decided to reconnoiter the American left flank to see if an attack was possible…

Surrender

Burgoyne had lost 1,000 men in the two battles, leaving him outnumbered by roughly 3 to 1. American losses came to about 500 killed and wounded. Burgoyne had also lost several of his most effective leaders, his attempts to capture the American position had failed, and his forward line was now breached. After the second battle, Burgoyne lit fires at his remaining forward positions and withdrew under the cover of darkness. He withdrew his men 10–15 miles north, n…

Aftermath

Burgoyne's failed campaign marked a major turning point in the war. General Burgoyne returned to England and was never given another commanding position in the British Army. The British learned that the Americans would fight bravely and effectively. One British officer said:
The courage and obstinacy with which the Americans fought were the astonis…

Legacy

The battlefield and the site of Burgoyne's surrender have been preserved, and are now administered by the National Park Service as the Saratoga National Historical Park, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. The park preserves a number of the buildings in the area and contains a variety of monuments. The Saratoga Monument obelisk has four niches, three …