The Major Turning Point in the American Revolution

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The Major Turning Point in the American Revolution By the end of 1776, George Washington's army was low on supplies. Many men had died or left the cause and Washington could barely fit the needs of the few men still with him. He was in great need of a victory and was told of a Hessian camp near him at Trenton. Washington made an irrational gamble to attack Trenton and it paid off. He gained supplies and his army’s faith in the cause was renewed. A little while later Washington's army attacked Princeton and the same outcome transpired, more supplies and a boost in faith. Although the battles of Trenton and Princeton did help the American cause those supplies didn't last forever. The colonists needed a victory, one bigger than Trenton or Princeton, one that would get the French to join their cause. The Battle of Saratoga was the major turning point in the American Revolution. Actually, there were two battles at Saratoga. The first began with Gen. John Burgoyne's offensive strike on September 19. The second was a climactic phase of fighting on October 7. In the first Battle at Saratoga, Freeman's Farm, the British lost two men for every one American casualty. In terms of ground gained, however, both sides fought to a draw. The second Battle, Bemis Heights, British losses were four to one. The death count for the British for both battles added up to about 440 compared to the colonists’ count of 90. The colonial’s victory was overwhelming. After delayed negotiations, Burgoyne officially surrendered on October 17. He returned to England in disgrace, and was never given another command. When news of the American victory reached Europe, France entered the war on the side of the colonists. Money and supplies flowed to the American cause, providing Washington's Continental Army with the support necessary to continue its fight against Great Britain. Britain's loss at

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