Saratoga

Question 1

When was Saratoga

Answer 1

1777

Question 2

Describe what happened at Saratoga

Answer 2

• initially planned for a three pronged strategy, with Burgoyne, Howe and st leger working together to defeat the continental army
• Burgoyne march south was marked by increasing difficulties, with difficult terrain, a large baggage train, strong resistance from American militia
• freemans farm- first jamboree engagement and highlighted Burgoyne vulnerability and shortness of supplies
• Burgoyne believed there old be help from Clinton, but Clinton left late- 3rd October and failed to meet with Burgoyne forces
• left Burgoyne militarily vulnerable and strategically weakened
• burgoynes defeat battle of bemis heights meant that the Americans reinforced their position
• Burgoyne forced to surrender at Saratoga to general gates

Question 3

What was the impact of Saratoga

Answer 3

• significant blow to the British- profound strategic and political consequences
• was the first major American victory that resulted in the complete defeat of a British army
• setbacks from battle of New York and defeat at Long Island meant it proved a much needed morale booster
• turning point- led to French support for thr American cause

Question 4

Why did Saratoga lead to french support

Answer 4

• convinced France that it was no longer and inter colonial rebellion, but was a political and military struggle
• also convinced the french that they were militarily capable of defeating the British
• ended French fear of a USA collapse

Question 5

Why was french intervention so important

Answer 5

• led to Spain and the Netherlands joining in the conflict as ally’s of France and Spain
• (but also to avenge Britain for the seven years war)
• France had a 150,000 string army and constructed fleet which attempted to challenge the naval supremacy of the British
• French intervention aroused war effort in the uk which the us rebellion did not
• meant that Britain had to divert resources onto multiple fronts, weakening their position
• 1778- 65% of UK army in America
• 1780- 29% troops

Question 6

Summary

Answer 6

As a result, Saratoga not only boosted American morale, but also led to foreign intervention and it changed the course of the war, ultimately contributing to their success in the war of independence

Question 7

Failure of British military leadership

Answer 7

• Burgoyne intended to strategically work with Howe and st leger to take Albany, New York
• Howe failed to communicate with Burgoyne- instead of moving north, Howe took his army and captured Philadelphia
• Philadelphia was not of strategic success, more symbolic
• without reinforcements, Burgoyne was surrounded and forced to surrender at the battle of Saratoga in 1777
• Burgoyne- army moved very slowly and had a very heavy baggage train- which delayed thei advance and left them vulnerable to attack, often met with resistance from local militias
• burgoynes failure at Saratoga could have been prevented if how had supported him- so his defeat was partly due to broader strategic failure