READ: Victory at Saratoga- Major Turning Point

Fight For Philadelphia

The British troops were being led by General Howe in 1777. He wanted to seize Philadelphia and began to March his troops there, taking everything in his way. As they landed near Philadelphia, the Continental Congress (that were staying there) fled and General Washington tried to protect the city. He failed, and soon British troops had taken over the city.

Victory at Saratoga

French Alliance

Victory at Saratoga was crucial to winning the war. Not only did it stop the British and boost American Morale--- it showed the French that the American Soldiers were serious about winning. This resulted in a major turning point in the war, which was the decision by France to support the American cause. They were so impressed with the Americans that they soon sent troops to help fight. Benjamin Franklin, serving as the American ambassador to France, convinced the French to form a military alliance with the Americans, and France agreed to wage war against Britain until America gained independence. Facing both an American and a European war, Britain would need to pull troops out of America to fight closer to home.

-Britain had help from the Germans (Hessians).

-The colonists had help from Spain, and now, had help from France. (Later, the Dutch would lend the colonists a hand as well.)