How the Battle of Saratoga Changed the Course of the War - Research Paper Example

How the battle of Saratoga changed the course of the war The Battle of Saratoga changed the course of the war because it was the first main fight which proved that the Americans can win the revolution. First of all, the battle ignited revolutionary spirit among the American revolutionaries who fought for freedom. The battle proved that large army and navy cannot win a battle. Instead, revolutionary spirit and cohesion among the fighters can be helpful to win a battle like the Battle of Saratoga.

Before the Battle of Saratoga, the scope of Americans to win the American Revolution and the American War of Independence was under doubt. One can easily identify that the defeat of the British colonizers during the American Revolution helped the Americans to gain confidence and fight for their ultimate freedom. The American victory in the Battle of Saratoga forced France to help the revolutionaries in America. Besides, other European nations like Spain and Holland followed the decision of France.

“Many generations of American historians have referred to the two battles in Saratoga as the turning point of the American Revolution because they prompted France’s entry into the war (Starbuck 1999, 20).”1 Within this context, international support accelerated the revolutionary spirit of the Americans and it ultimately led to the victory in the American War of Independence. From a different angle of view, the Battle of Saratoga spread the spirit of nationalism and democracy. “The surrender of an entire British army and the capture of a large slash of military supplies, arms, and munitions came just at the critical juncture, right after General Howe had completed the takeover of Philadelphia, to boost sagging American morale (Morton 2003, 58).

”2 For instance, the victory in the Battle of Saratoga eventually led American colonies to the victory in American Revolution. Besides, it led America to the American War of Independence and it ignited the spirit of nationalism in France. For example, victory in the Battle of Saratoga and the American Revolution deeply influenced the French Revolution. From a different angle of view, the French intervention in the British colonies in America changed the course of the American War of Independence.

For instance, France opened warfronts in British colonies other than America. This movement forced the British forces to give less importance to the revolution in America. Besides, it eventually led to the American victory in the revolution. To be specific, expanded war reduced the British victory in the war. The meeting between Benjamin Franklin (American representative) and Charles Gravier (say, the foreign minister in France) can be evaluated as a turning point in France’s support and involvement in the war.

Charles Gravier’s opinion influenced Louis XIV and France decided to support America. In the year 1778, France intervened in the war between the British forces and the American colonies and it changed the course of the war. The British authorities considered the American colonies as an unending source of revenue. So they exerted heavy tax on the colonies. This infuriated the people in America and they decided to revolt against this injustice. General John Burgoyne’