The Battle of Saratoga was two different battles fought in September and October, 1777. It was a victory that won the United States independence. It increased the American's confidence. The most important result occurred in France. When the good news of the victory reached Paris, the French recognized the government of the U.S.

When March of 1778 came Ben Franklin and two American diplomats had negotiated a treaty of alliance. If the colonists would lay down their arms the proposed alliance discouraged the British so that they would never tax the colonists again. But their offer was refused. France promised to fight to protect the U.S. Then France declared a war on Great Britain.

The French wanted to see the Americans win their independence because it would weaken the enemy, Great Britain. France had been helping the Americans with loans and war supplies from the start of the American Revolution. Some of the French officers had been coming to America to fight.

Additional Links:

A link to another page about the Battle of Saratoga

A link to another page about the Battle of Saratoga

A link to another page about the Battle of Saratoga

A link to another page about the Battle of Saratoga

A link to the Gordon Russell Middle School Home Page

Bibliography:

Johnson, Curt. Battles of the American Revolution. New York: Bonanza Books, 1975.

Dupuy, Trevor N. People and events of the American Revolution.New York: RR Bowker Co, 1974.