American victory at Saratoga convinced France to formally ally with the United States, proving decisive to the outcome of the Revolutionary War.
Key Facts
- First battle date
- September 19, 1777 (Freeman's Farm)
- Second battle date
- October 7, 1777 (Bemis Heights)
- British surrender date
- October 17, 1777
- Distance from Saratoga
- 9 miles south of Saratoga, NY
- Key consequence
- Franco-American Alliance formally created
- British objective
- Capture Albany, NY; divide New England from other colonies
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
British General John Burgoyne led an invasion army south from Quebec aiming to capture Albany and split New England from the other colonies. The strategy faltered when General Howe failed to move north and Brigadier General St. Leger retreated westward, leaving Burgoyne isolated in upstate New York, surrounded by growing American forces.
Two battles were fought on the same ground near Saratoga. At Freeman's Farm on September 19, Burgoyne won a tactical victory but suffered heavy casualties. At Bemis Heights on October 7, the Americans under Gates, with Benedict Arnold rallying troops, defeated the British decisively. Burgoyne retreated to Saratoga and surrendered his entire army to General Gates on October 17.
The American victory and British surrender at Saratoga proved instrumental in formalizing the Franco-American Alliance, bringing France openly into the war as an American ally. Historian Edmund Morgan characterized Saratoga as 'a great turning point of the war,' as French support provided the last element Americans needed to secure independence.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Horatio Gates, Benedict Arnold.
Side B
1 belligerent
John Burgoyne.