Why was the Battle of Saratoga a Turning Point in History?
![Picture](/uploads/1/5/9/4/15940568/1786353_orig.jpg)
Many think that the Battle of Saratoga was one battle, but in fact, there were two. In the first battle, more commonly known as the Battle of Freeman's Farm, the British lost two men for everyone one American casualty. The battle, though, ended in a draw. In the second battle, or the Battle of Bemis Heights, the British lost four men for every one American loss, and General John Burgoyne officially surrendered on October 17th. Word reached France on Burgoyne's surrender, and France joined the American side, providing money and supplies that would help George Washington's continental army defeat the British. Spain, too, joined sides with American forces, along with militia. This only helped the Americans more, and realizing the hopelessness of the situation, Burgoyne and the British surrendered. The victory at Saratoga for the Americans would prove that the rebels could defeat the British with no allies. Also, the victory would be a decisive moment in the outcome of the war.