Battle of Saratoga

    British General Burgoyne hoped to launch an attack from Canada and weaken New England by cutting it off from the other colonies. As his army advanced through a wilderness, militiamen shot at them from behind rocks and trees. The army then class with 6,000 American soldiers, led by General Gates. Burgoyne hoped for support from two other British armies, but they never came and he was forced to surrender a few days later. After the American victory at Saratoga, the French were convinced that the colonies could win the war, so they sent soldiers and ships to fight.

The Marquis de Lafayette, French Commander who helped the Americans win the war.