Battle Outline

A few strategies and facts during the battle of Saratoga:
The Brittish sought ot ocuppy Albany, a connecting point, to cut of the link.between colonies. They wanted to control the Hudson River, in order to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies as a matter of weakness. The Brittish won small battles on their way, yet the americans surprised them at a wooden plateau, to block the Brittish. Surprisingly, the Brittish couter-attacked, and won the 1st battle of Saratoga. The 2nd batlle of Saratoga was another surpise move, that caused the Brittish to surrender on Oct. 17, 1777, outnumbered and beaten, and to make their way back home.

Role of Women in Saratoga

In the battle of Saratoga, women that were on camp ahd to work daily to help the men and the army. Women would do the wash, take care of hurt and deficient people, cook, and feed her family. Yet, women presence in encampments was merely due to their husbands, and dependent of it as well. If a womans husnabd died in a battle, the girl would have to find another husband in 24 hours at camp, or else she would be thrown out. Single women were considered an impediment. George washington thought of them as distractions and as being "loose", though necessary.
Many more men volunteered to fight for independence if their families could acompany them. Some women came to be with their husbands, because they couldnt run their lands alone, or because they were thrown out byt the soldiers. Females always had a lot to do in battle grounds, for example, at night, they were sent to rummage through the dead bodies to pick up gun and amunition that was still intact. Ocassionally, if a woman was simpky delivering soldiers water, she would replace them when duty called.

General John Burgoyne

General John Burgoyne was a Brittish army officer, who made his mark in many historic battles. He participated in the Seven Years War, also know more commonly at the French and Indian war. Burgoyne also served as a member of parliament, and was a highly educated man. He was a successfull playwright, which among his pieces include "The Heiress" and "The Maid of the Oaks". Burgoyne eloped with Lady Charlotte Stanley in 1743, and had 4 children with his mistress, Susan Caufield.
General John Burgoyne is held responsible for the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, during the battle of Saratoga. He was originally sent to Albany, to capture the rebelious and finish the fighting, but lost. He found himself surrounded and outnumbered though he had a 6,000 men army. He had to negotiate his expedition home with General Horatio Gates, but many of his men were held prisoners. Burgoyne was forced to surrender on October 17, 1777, and faced prejudice and critcism back in Brittain. He was never again comander after the occurence.

French Participation in Saratoga

Burgoyne wanted to divide the americans and new england, so he attacked the americans on October 7th, at the Battle of Bemis Heights. During this attack, some British defenses collapsed and so, Burgoyne and his men had no choice but to surrender (they surrendered on Oct. 17). Word of this event travelled all the way to the French who gladly participated during these battles as an American ally. The French had also been providing ammunition/guns, supplies, and the de Valliere (a type of gun) was an essential weapon in this battle. When the French became involved in this, the battle became more of a global quarrel.

The french decided to participate in the battle of saratoga because Benjamin Franklin (sent by the Continental Congress) and some other men went to negociate a coalition with the french. At this time, the French still held a grudge against the Brittish (because of their lost of territorry to them during the French and Indian War). When the americans won the battle of saratoga, the French were convinced that the Americans took their fight for independence seriously and that a alliance might come in handy in the future.

General Horatio Gates

Horatio Lloyd Gates was a british soldier that lived from 1727– 1806. Later on he became the American General in the Revolution War. He got credit for the American victory in the battle of Saratoga.

During the French and Indian War, Gates served General Edward Braddock. Gates later served in the West Indies and participated in the capture of Martinique. When Gates heard about the Revolutionary War, he rushed to serve George Washington. In June, the Congress began in which they started preparing for the Continental Army.

Washington made an appointment with Gates, to put him as adjutant of the army. After the war, Gates got elected vice president of the National Order of the Cincinnati (the organization of former Continental Army officers)

Bibliography

These are our links in making this website!

http://members.tripod.com/saratoga_battle/helen.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Saratoga

http://americanrevwar.homestead.com/files/GATES.HTM

http://inventors.about.com/od/fstartinventions/a/Franklin.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Burgoyne

Important facts!

What: This battle was a turning point in the history of american independence. When the colonists won, the French entered the war in support of the patriots. This victory impacted the view of America in europe.

Why: The battle begun because the Brittish came down from Canada do dominate New England. The Americans sought the protection of their territory, hence the fighting.

Where: 9 miles south of Saratoga, New York

When: september 19, 1777 to october 17, 1777

Who: influential people include:
General John Burgoyne
General Horatio Gates