The Battle of Saratoga Research Assignment Paper

The Battle of Saratoga
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The Battle of Saratoga
The revolutionary war in America is one of the significant events in American history because it was the beginning of a new nation. The American revolutionary war of 1775 to 1783 known as the American war of independence was fought between the Great Britain, other British colonies in The North American continent. The war of independence was a rebellion where 13 of British North American colonies fought for independence, forming the United States of America (Brown & Cohen, 2015). The revolutionary war started because of the growing displeasure among British colonies caused by numerous attempts by the British government to assert more control over their colonies (Brown & Cohen, 2015).
The battle of Saratoga involved a series of battles that eventually culminated in the main battle in Saratoga that saw the British army surrender. The surrender of the British during the battle of Saratoga proved that the American army was powerful (Brown & Cohen, 2015). The victory at Saratoga for Americans became the turning point because they were free from the British colonial rule. Hence, the American victory at Saratoga forms a significant part of American history because the Americans attained independence (Washington & Army, 2014).
The activities that led to the battle of Saratoga
For several decades before the outbreak of the war that occurred in 1775, there was tension between the British authorities and its colonies. Before 1774 the year that led up to the revolutionary war, the British colonies were dissatisfied with various laws imposed on them by the British government (Washington & Army, 2014). The British Parliament had passed laws to effect taxes on colonists in America. The first act was the Sugar Act of 1764, the stamp Act the following year and other laws meant to acquire more money for the government's operations (Washington & Army, 2014). Britain passed these laws to collect more money to recover from the huge losses they had incurred by the end of French and Indian wars in 1763(Washington & Army, 2014).
Americans resented these laws and believed that the British government was out to benefit themselves but not American subjects. These colonies believed that British wasted resources fighting expensive wars only to strengthen its rule and to increase its wealth (Washington & Army, 2014). Besides, Americans viewed the laws were irrelevant to them because the British parliament were individuals living in England who did not understand their needs hence felt unrepresented (Washington & Army, 2014). During this period, several protests were witnessed in America like the Great Alamance Creek, where 2,000 Tar farmer known as regulators protested against the British rule(Washington & Army, 2014).These farmers wanted to regulate corrupt dealings among the local government officials, but their rebellion was crushed(Washington & Army, 2014).
The increased resentment from African and American Indian population was evident because these groups disliked the lower status they were accorded by the British government. The whites dominated everything. Hence the Native American and African population were willing to support any group to help them gain control (Strange, 2015). That is why in 1773 the Boston massacre took place after the tea party where all colonies were against Parliament that continued to show disrespect for colonists (Strange, 2015). All the thirteen colonies who were British colonies became American allies when the American Revolution took place because the British colonies did not like the British rules. Rebellion and discontented became a routine, but the climax of the revolution was started by taxes and lack of representation (Strange, 2015).
The revolutionary war
When the revolutionary war began in 1775, it was clear that Britain was to win the war. The British army was well equipped and had control on both land and sea. Many British troops had vast experience because they had fought the French and Indian wars and had adequate resources to sustain them (Midgley, 2013).On the other side, Americans had a small group of the inexperienced soldiers who had never fought in a major war. The naval forces were small and could not match the British troop and the royal fleet (Midgley, 2013). Despite the difference, American believed that they could win the war because there were fighting on their soil and had the duty to protect their families and their nation as a whole compared to the British (Midgley, 2013).
Americans soldiers were patriots who strongly wanted independence. Even though they were not experienced, they were close knit and dedicated to defending their property. Led by Major John Burgoyne, the British troops developed a plan to win the war by cutting off other colonies. Soldiers were to be divided into two groups (Midgley, 2013). The first group was to move down the Hudson River while the second group was to advance to Lake Ontario before both groups eventually converge at Albany (Midgley, 2013). After meeting in Albany, the groups were to move forward to Hudson as another group advance to New York (Midgley, 2013).
Burgoyne's plan worked well as the army captured Fort Ticonderoga, his men pressed towards the south from Lake Champlain, however, the army run out of supply, hence lost the battle in Bennington the loss was because of losing Native American allies. The British army lost most of its troops; Burgoyne army was defeated in Albany by Americans led by General Horatio Gates (Midgley, 2013). The turning point of the American revolutionary was the battle of Saratoga that comprised of two significant battles during the months of September and October in 1777(Midgley, 2013).
The battle of Saratoga was a series of confrontations witnessed between the British and American armies in Albany in Saratoga County in New York. This battle ended in victory for American colonists when America got a boost from France entering the war against Britain. By joining American forces, France provided the much-needed support during the war (Midgley, 2013). The British troops had planned to control the up side of New York by isolating New England from the southern parts (Midgley, 2013). According to them, this was the best strategy that would end the war. However, this ended up being an opportunity for Americans had been waiting for.
The battle at Freeman's Farm
The first major battle of Saratoga was the battle of Freeman's farm that occurred in September 1777(O'Shaughnessy, 2013).The battle started when general Gate moved north to occupy a better position at Bemis Heights some ten miles south of Saratoga. American built fortifications constructed by Thaddeus, an American engineer who commanded the river near Albany (O'Shaughnessy, 2013). American troops were divided because of constant disagreements between their two Generals Gates and Arnold, affecting their operations. The British army advanced toward American. However, Americans blocked the road, and could not attack (O'Shaughnessy, 2013).
To attack the Heights British troops devised a three-point attack where the first group advanced along the river, and other moved inland before turning to the south to Attack the Bemis Heights (O'Shaughnessy, 2013).The third group moved further inland and was meant to drive Americans to the left. Having prior knowledge of the British intentions the two America generals Arnold and Gates attacked the British while try...