The turning point in the Revolutionary War

 The defeats at Trenton and Princeton embarrassed the British.  Spring 1777 – The British wanted to strike back  The British attack the Patriots at Fort Ticonderoga, Lake Ontario, and New York City  The three armies would come together at Albany, New York

 The British successfully recapture Fort Ticonderoga  Burgoyne was slow in heading towards Albany  Colonists had chopped down large trees across his path to slow his progress  Burgoyne was also greedy  He was travelling with 30 wagons of luxury goods

 Attacking Philadelphia  General Howe decided to attack Philadelphia first, before heading towards Albany  General Howe captures Philadelphia after winning at Brandywine and Paoli  The Continental Congress flees

 Burgoyne runs low on food and supplies  Sends 800 troops and Native Americans to Capture Bennington, Vermont  The Greene Mountain Boys attack the British at Bennington  Burgoyne flees to Saratoga, New York

 Burgoyne was in Saratoga waiting for reinforcements  They never came  Howe was still in Philadelphia  St. Leger had been stopped by the Americans at Fort Stanwix  Burgoyne was on his own

 Burgoyne’s troops were badly outnumbered by the Patriots – 3/1  General Horatio Gates – attacked from the South  Benedict Arnold – attacked from the North  The British troops were surrounded  October 17, 1777  Patriots capture Burgoyne’s entire army  5,700 British Soldiers  All their Weapons

 Great Victory for the Patriots  Capture John Burgoyne  General Howe Resigns  British appoint a new General  General Henry Clinton  Morale Booster for the Patriots  Led to increased foreign support for the Patriots  “This event will make one of the most brilliant pages of American History.”  Patriot James Thacher

 European nations realized that the United States might actually win its war against Great Britain.  Some European nations gave Americans money and supplies but would not committed to an alliance.  Benjamin Franklin seeks to gain support of the French and Spanish in the Americans’ fight for independence.

 France sees that the Americans will probably win  February 1778 – France and the U.S. form an alliance  France declares war on Great Britain  France sends money, equipment, and troops to the American Patriots

 Spain joins the war because of their hatred toward Great Britain  1779 – Spain Declares war on Great Britain  Bernardo de Gálvez’s - raised army against the British  Captured British troops and Forts in the South

 Marquis de Lafayette  Wealthy Frenchman  Summer 1777  Spoke little English  Lacked combat experience  Gave $200,000 to the Patriots  Becomes a trusted aid to Washington  “The welfare of America is closely bound up with the welfare of mankind.”