The Battle of Saratoga:
The Revolutionary War’s Turning Point
Participant: Kimberly Silitonga
Address: 1873 Curtis Street Loma Linda, CA 92354
Phone: (909)682-4348
Email: [email protected]
School: Redlands High School
Address: 840 E. Citrus Avenue Redlands, CA 92374
Phone: (909)307-5500
Fax: (909)307-5524
Grade Level: Junior
The Battle of Saratoga: The Revolutionary War’s Turning Point
The coming of The American Revolution had been deemed inevitable, significantly
triggered by the numerous excise taxes Britain had plagued the American colonies with. When
the underestimated Continental army—which had not been established prior to the American
Revolution and was vastly made up of inexperienced soldiers—went against the British army—
which had been the most advanced army of its time—victory, initially, had not steered the minds
of Americans. Despite the underestimated Continental army's reputation alongside their
numerous losses save for the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Battle of Saratoga held major
significance, for this particular battle had fundamentally given the Americans victory against the
British, paving the path for victory in the American Revolution.
Fear had impacted the start of the Battle of Saratoga, for the British believed that foreign
allies, the French, would come to assist the Continental army. This shared belief had influenced
British General Burgoyne to have his army invade Albany, New York in order to quickly prevent
this partnership by defeating the Continental army swiftly. Nonetheless, although Burgoyne's
advance for Albany had first been a victory, his next battle, the Battle of Bennington, would be a
catalyst that will give triumph to the Americans at the battle of Saratoga. Written in an article,
"[...] without Bennington there would not have been a victory at Saratoga since the Battle of
Bennington reduced Burgoyne's men by close to 1,000, hurt his standing with the Indians and
deprived him of necessary supplies" (Yost). Evidently, the Battle of Bennington deprived the
British army of their Indian allies, their revered troops, and their needed supplies. Additionally
impacting the victory at the Battle of Saratoga, the Battle of Mohawk Valley would reflect the
losses of the Battle of Bennington. Written in The Making of America: The Revolutionary War,
"As the cold winds of autumn began to blow, Burgoyne saw the dangers grow thick and fast
about him. Baum's army had been destroyed and St. ledger's defeated. The Native American
allies began to desert. Food had become scarce. Reinforcements flocked to the Americans until
they outnumbered the British" (Bill, 41). Both the Battle of Bennington and battle at Mohawk
were contributing factors that lead to the climax of the American Revolution: the Battle of
Saratoga.
Saratoga had been composed in two separate battles, the first battle taking place in
September 19, 1777; the second taking place in October 7, 1777. The first part of Battle of
Saratoga had been won due to the British's ultimate defense at fort Ticonderoga, in which they
mounted their artillery at high ground. Byrd writes, "Who won? Burgoyne held the field of
battle, for what it was worth, so he could claim a tactical victory. In a letter written in the
following day, he said: 'We have had a smart and very honorable action, and are now encamped
in front of the field, which must demonstrate our victory [...]" (Byrd 88). Nonetheless, compared
to the Continental army, the British army had suffered more casualties. Eighteen days later, the
second installment of the Battle of Saratoga would come into play, and in this battle, Burgoyne's
army would suffer the greatest and most regrettable defeat. Taking the offensive, Burgoyne
clashed against Gate's American army, and in this foreboding struggle, roughly 86 percent of the
British army would succumb in the battle, leaving the Americans as victors. An article titled
"The Battle of Saratoga" conveys, "The troops crashed together south of the town of Saratoga,
and Burgoyne's army was broken. In mop-up operations 86 percent of Burgoyne's command was
captured" ("The Battle of Saratoga"). Ultimately, the Battle of Saratoga demonstrated a greater
and inspiring hope that the American Army had, and with this motivation, the American army
presented their possibilities by driving through the American Revolution. Burgoyne, after the
Battle of Saratoga, would then have to surrender, and in his perspective, he discloses his major
afflictions, "The disaster at Bennington was a serious check to his expedition, but the arrival of
Stark at Bennington, just at the crisis, was thoroughly unpremeditated and providential for the
Americans, so that the memory of Burgoyne unjustly suffered by the disaster" (Carrington 354).
Unfortunately, as Burgoyne reflects, the Battle of Bennington had impacted his performance at
the Battle of Saratoga; ultimately, Burgoyne realizes that this American accomplishment would
give the American army the conclusive advantage.
Winning the major Battle of Saratoga gave sound to the impending victory the British
once had. Burgoyne's surrender had predicted an ultimate American victory in the American
Revolution, for the Battle of Saratoga represented a major turning point in the war. Written in
The Making of America: The Revolutionary War, "Saratoga is regarded as one of the most
decisive battles of the war. It brought hope and confidence to the colonists, doubt and despair to
the British, and ultimately resulted in an alliance between America and France" (Bill, 42). In this
passage, the Battle of Saratoga's momentousness is exemplified, for it manages to create an
alliance between the he French and the Americans, and it had brought a wavering hope turn
unequivocal. Finally, the American army would be reputed for their competence in the American
Revolution, winning additional major battles in the future and ultimately conquering the
American Revolution.
A drive for true independence had significantly motivated the Americans to bravely fight
in the American Revolution. Without the victory at the Battle of Saratoga, the true American
independence that the young country desired for would would have not existed. The major
impact that this particular battle had was its ability to change the tide of the war, in favor of the
Continental army. America's emergence from British rule would construct into a significant
document, the Declaration of Independence, that ultimately announced that the thirteen
American colonies would regard themselves as thirteen newly independent sovereign states that
were no longer under British rule.
Works Cited
Byrd, Martha. Saratoga; Turning Point in the American Revolution. Philadelphia: Auerbach
1973. Print.
Carrington, Henry Beebee. Battles of the American Revolution, 1775-1781, including Battle
Maps and Charts of the American Revolution. New York: Promontory, 1974. Print.
"The Battle of Saratoga." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 02 Dec.
2016.
Yenne, Bill, ed. The Making of America: The Revolutionary War. Comp. Azia Yenne and Joan
Hayes. San Mateo: Bluewood, 1996. Print. The Making of America.
Yost, Russell. "Battle of Bennington | Facts, History, Summary, Battlefield." The History Junkie.
N.p., 2014. Web. 01 Dec. 2016.
Biography
My name is Kimberly Silitonga, and I am currently taking AP United States History in
my junior year at Redlands High School. In my time in this course, I had realized my deep
admiration for American History, for it captivates me upon the development of this country. My
ultimate goal in taking this course is to attain the college credit that this class offers. As of this
school year, I am currently in two Advanced Placement classes: AP United States History and
AP Language & Composition. Although it may be difficult, I am doing quite well in each class.
Separated from my studies, my extra curricular and my outside activities are numerous. In
Redlands High School, I am partaking my third year in an all-girls show choir named “Les
Chanteuses” in which the choir participates in several different festivals and showcases, and
annually goes on a tour. This year, we will be touring on a cruise to Ensenada, Mexico.
Additionally, I am part of the badminton team, and this year will be my third year in this sport.
Alongside school activities, I have various outside activities that encompass most upon my
church life. At church, named Loma Linda Seventh Day Adventist Church, I participate in
another choir named “SWIFT,” where we also will be partaking in a small-scale tour to San
Diego in the future. Furthermore, I am in the the Pathfinder club my church provides. This will
be my sixth year in this club. In Pathfinders, camping is a major and significant activity that we
achieve at least tri-annually. Moreover, at church, we hold an annual Christmas play, and this
will be my first year engaging in it. At this point, I have a total of around 150 hours committed
into the play alone. My life is surrounded by school and by church, and fundamentally, I aspire
to be successful in the future.