What is Battle of Saratoga?
[[Image:Surrender of General Burgoyne.jpg|thumb|250px|{{center|A painting of the surrender of General Burgoyne}}]] The '''Battle of Saratoga''' is considered the turning point of the [[American Revolution]]. The battle was fought in late 1777. It was actually two [[wikt:engage|engage]]ments: the Battle of Freeman's [[Farm]] (September 19<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-freemans-farm.htm |title=The Battle of Freeman's Farm |author= |website= |publisher=Britishbattles.com |accessdate=January 9, 2017}}</ref>) and the Battle of Bemis Heights (October 7<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/battle-of-bemis-heights |title=The Battle of Bemis Heights |author= |website=History |publisher=A&E Television Networks, LLC |accessdate=January 9, 2017}}</ref>). The [[Americans]] were led by [[General officer|General]] [[Horatio Gates]]. The British were led by General [[John Burgoyne]]. On October 17 Burgoyne [[Surrender (military)|surrendered]] his [[army]] of nearly 6,000 British [[soldiers]]. The American [[victory]] helped [[wikt:convince|convince]] [[France]] to come to the aid of the [[Continental Army]]. It also helped them [[recognize]] the [[United States]]. == Prelude == In early 1777, General [[William Howe]] asked [[London]] to approve his plan to attack [[Philadelphia]]. This would destroy the rebellious American government.<ref name=Lanning11.2>Michael Lee Lanning, ''The American Revolution 100'' (Naperville: Sourcebooks, 2009), pp. 11–12</ref> In Canada, General John Burgoyne submitted a plan to move down through New York and meet General Howe at [[Albany, New York|Albany]]. This would divide the colonies. London approved both plans.<ref name=Lanning11.2/> Burgoyne began moving down the [[Hudson River valley]] from Canada. He split his force into two columns. One, under Colonel [[Barry St. Leger]] moved [[east]] from [[Lake Ontario]] down the [[Mohawk Valley]]. They attacked the Americans at [[Fort Stanwix]]. The Americans sent two parties to relieve the