British Gen. John Burgoyne Objective: To examine the major turning points of the war. British Gen. John Burgoyne

The Battle of Saratoga October 1777 • As a result, British General John Burgoyne led his men from Canada to Albany. The British plan was to cut off New England from the other colonies by taking control of the Hudson River. Gen. Burgoyne CANADA Albany

The Battle of Saratoga October 1777 In order to delay General Burgoyne’s progress, American soldiers destroyed bridges, cut down trees, and created huge areas of mud by damming up streams and rivers. • The Americans then launched a surprise attack, defeating Gen. Burgoyne’s forces which never received the reinforcements they expected. Do Now: View the video, “Battle of Saratoga Turns the Tide” (2:36) According to the video, what was the most important result of the Battle of Saratoga?

• Turning Point – This battle convinced France to join the war on the side of the U.S. Battle of Saratoga

The central figure is the American General Horatio Gates, who refused to take the sword offered by General Burgoyne, and, treating him as a gentleman, invites him into his tent. The surrender of British General John Burgoyne at Saratoga, on October 17, 1777, was a turning point in the American Revolutionary War that prevented the British from dividing New England from the rest of the colonies and convincing France to join the war on the American side.

Benjamin Franklin at the Court of France where he had been working, along with John Adams, to secure France’s assistance with the revolution.

Valley Forge--Washington & Lafayette. Winter 1777-78.

From the Diary of Albigence Waldo, Surgeon at Valley Forge, 1777. December 14 “…The Army which has been surprisingly healthy hitherto, now begins to grow sickly from the continued fatigues they have suffered…Yet they still show a spirit of…Contentment not to be expected from so young Troops. I am Sick - discontented - and out of humour. Poor food - hard lodging - Cold Weather - fatigue - Nasty Cloaths - nasty Cookery - Vomit half my time - smoak'd out my senses - the Devil's in't - I can't Endure it - Why are we sent here to starve and Freeze - What sweet Felicities have I left at home; A charming Wife - pretty Children - Good Beds - good food - good Cookery - all aggreable - all harmonious. Here all Confusion - smoke and Cold - hunger and filthyness - A pox on my bad luck...There comes a bowl of beef soup - full of burnt leaves and dirt, …away with it Boys…

See the poor Soldier, when in health - with what cheerfulness he meets his foes and encounters every hardship - if barefoot, he labours thro' the Mud and Cold with a Song in his mouth extolling War and Washington - if his food be bad, he eats it notwithstanding with seeming content - blesses God for a good Stomach and Whistles it into digestion. But…There comes a Soldier, his bare feet are seen thro' his worn out Shoes, his legs nearly naked from the tatter'd remains of an only pair of stockings, his Breeches not sufficient to cover his nakedness, his Shirt hanging in Strings, his hair dishevell'd, his face meagre; his whole appearance pictures a person forsaken and discouraged. He comes, and crys with an air of wretchedness and despair, I am Sick, my feet lame,my legs are sore, my body cover'd with this tormenting Itch - my Cloaths are worn out, my Constitution is broken, my former Activity is exhausted by fatigue, hunger and Cold, I fail fast I shall soon be no more! and all the reward I shall get will be - "Poor Will is dead…”

General George Washington and a Committee of Congress at Valley Forge General George Washington and a Committee of Congress at Valley Forge. Winter 1777-78.

Video: George Washington at Valley Forge (2:25) • During the winter of 1777-1778, George Washington’s troops suffered severely. • The soldiers suffered from the following problems: - hunger - lack of shoes and warm clothing - frostbite and disease

• With the help of Friedrich von Steuben, the army survived and became well trained. Video: Baron von Steuben teaches the Continental soldiers how to march. (2:12)