Essential Question What circumstances caused the Battle of Saratoga to become the turning point of the American Revolution? What circumstances caused the Battle of Saratoga to become the turning point of the American Revolution?

Saratoga: The Turning Point Chapter 7 Section 1 (Pt III)

Burgoyne’s Plan The British believed New England was the source of the colonial rebellion The British believed New England was the source of the colonial rebellion By controlling the Hudson River valley, the British could cut off NE from the other colonies By controlling the Hudson River valley, the British could cut off NE from the other colonies The British plan was to have three armies meet, attack, and conquer Albany, NY The British plan was to have three armies meet, attack, and conquer Albany, NY 1. General John Burgoyne would attack south from Canada 2. Lt. Colonel Barry St. Leger would attack from the west 3. General William Howe would attack up the Hudson River from NYC

Patriots Everywhere! Burgoyne left Canada in June 1777 w/ an army of British, Hessians, & Iroquois Burgoyne left Canada in June 1777 w/ an army of British, Hessians, & Iroquois Burgoyne soon began to realize that he was not simply fighting a rebel army, he was fighting an entire population Burgoyne soon began to realize that he was not simply fighting a rebel army, he was fighting an entire population Rebel sympathizers and colonial militia made the advance painfully slow Rebel sympathizers and colonial militia made the advance painfully slow Militia cut down trees to block roads Militia cut down trees to block roads Locals burned crops and drove off cattle Locals burned crops and drove off cattle

Summary/Quiz Question What was the purpose of Burgoyne’s plan? What was the purpose of Burgoyne’s plan? a. To cut off New England from the other colonies b. To force the Middle & Southern colonies to surrender c. To create a turning point in the war d. To make use of his Hessian mercenaries

The Plan Unravels Burgoyne pushed on despite major obstacles Burgoyne pushed on despite major obstacles On August 4, 1777 he received a message that Gen. Howe would not be coming north On August 4, 1777 he received a message that Gen. Howe would not be coming north Howe was, instead, going to attempt to capture Philadelphia, leaving a major hole in the plan Howe was, instead, going to attempt to capture Philadelphia, leaving a major hole in the plan As Burgoyne received Howe’s message, St. Leger was also struggling to reach Albany As Burgoyne received Howe’s message, St. Leger was also struggling to reach Albany

St. Leger Fails In the summer of 1777, St. Leger was attempting to defeat a small American force at Ft. Stanwix In the summer of 1777, St. Leger was attempting to defeat a small American force at Ft. Stanwix The Americans were led by Benedict Arnold, who used a clever tactic to defeat the British The Americans were led by Benedict Arnold, who used a clever tactic to defeat the British Arnold sent out captured Loyalists & Iroquois to spread the rumor that he had a huge army Arnold sent out captured Loyalists & Iroquois to spread the rumor that he had a huge army St. Leger, who believed the trick, retreated w/o a fight St. Leger, who believed the trick, retreated w/o a fight Burgoyne was now marching on Albany alone Burgoyne was now marching on Albany alone

Battle of Saratoga Burgoyne’s army continued South, but was blocked by an American force led by General Horatio Gates Burgoyne’s army continued South, but was blocked by an American force led by General Horatio Gates Gates commanded the bulk of the American force, along with help from Benedict Arnold Gates commanded the bulk of the American force, along with help from Benedict Arnold Burgoyne’s exhausted army was eventually surrounded & bombarded by Gates’ force near Saratoga, NY Burgoyne’s exhausted army was eventually surrounded & bombarded by Gates’ force near Saratoga, NY A series of skirmishes ensued, but the Battle of Saratoga ended w/ Burgoyne surrendering his entire army to the Continentals A series of skirmishes ensued, but the Battle of Saratoga ended w/ Burgoyne surrendering his entire army to the Continentals

Summary/Quiz Question What important event happened because of the Battle of Saratoga? What important event happened because of the Battle of Saratoga? a. Benedict Arnold sent rumors of his large army b. George Washington crossed the Delaware River c. Burgoyne surrendered his entire force to the Continental Army d. St. Leger’s troops retreated & left behind large amounts of supplies

The Turning Point This American victory was the turning point of the war b/c: This American victory was the turning point of the war b/c: 1. The British were unable to cut off NE from the rest of the colonies 2. It showed Europeans that the Americans could win the war 3. Some Europeans hostile toward Britain decided to join the American cause