The Saratoga campaign led directly to France’s formal alliance with the United States in 1778 after a major American victory in New York.
The campaign took place from June 14 to October 17, 1777. British General John Burgoyne led an army south from Canada, intending to seize the Hudson River corridor and separate New England from the other colonies. American forces resisted his advance through northern New York and halted the British plan.
The campaign included the battles of Freeman’s Farm and Bemis Heights, commonly grouped as the Battles of Saratoga. Burgoyne surrendered his army to American forces under General Horatio Gates at Saratoga on October 17, 1777. The victory demonstrated that the Continental Army could defeat a major British field force.
News of the surrender encouraged France to support the American cause openly. France signed the Treaty of Alliance with the United States on February 6, 1778, formally recognizing the new nation and committing military cooperation. France then entered the war against Britain, providing troops, ships, money, and supplies that proved important to the eventual American victory.