#7 Why was Saratoga the turning point in the Revolutionary War?

Off to the Races - October 1777Battle of Saratoga

British Strategy: Take Albany-3 pronged attack

• Burgoyne South from Canada

• Howe from New York City up Hudson River would split the colonies and meet in Albany, NY

• St. Leger from the west toward Albany

Where is Gen. Howe?

• September 1777 – Battle of Philadelphia

• Washington tries to defend Philadelphia but loses at battle at Brandywine, PA

• Congress is forced to flee to Baltimore

• St. Leger is attacked by Benedict Arnold’s army-retreats to Canada

Burgoyne Fights Alone

• NO St. Leger and NO General Howe

• General Gates gets all the credit for the victory, but

• Benedict Arnold is the real hero for the Colonial Army.

Results of the Battle• Why is it the turning point?• The Colonial Army shows it can win!• Colonist gain confidence & the British are hurting

AND

Here come the French!

VIVE LA FRANCE!

• 1778 Treaty of Alliance – France

• France joins the colonists effort against the British

• France would now help by providing ships, supplies, and troops

• Saratoga is the turning point of war

The winter of 1777-78 The winter of 1777-78 Good and bad for theGood and bad for the

Continental ArmyContinental Army

1778 Winter at Valley Forge1778 Winter at Valley ForgeWashington and his troops marching to Valley Washington and his troops marching to Valley

Forge in PennsylvaniaForge in Pennsylvania

OpportunityOpportunity Time for much needed training after Philadelphia Time for much needed training after Philadelphia

lossloss

Friedrich von Steuben was a tough Prussian drill Friedrich von Steuben was a tough Prussian drill master - reorganized and trained Continentals master - reorganized and trained Continentals at Valley Forgeat Valley Forge

This renewed the soldiers confidence in This renewed the soldiers confidence in themselves, and their ability to succeedthemselves, and their ability to succeed

““The Crisis”The Crisis”

Thomas Paine writes a new pamphletThomas Paine writes a new pamphlet

““The Crisis” The Crisis”

“ “These are the times that try men’s These are the times that try men’s souls”souls”

Foreign Volunteers help Foreign Volunteers help AmericansAmericans

Thaddeus Kosciusko Thaddeus Kosciusko – Polish military – Polish military engineer – planned fortifications at West engineer – planned fortifications at West PointPoint

LafayetteLafayette – French nobleman – aide to – French nobleman – aide to WashingtonWashington

Von StubenVon Stuben – Prussian officer, – Prussian officer, reorganized and trained Continentals at reorganized and trained Continentals at Valley ForgeValley Forge