The Battle of Saratoga helped persuade France to form a formal alliance with the United States. The American victory in October 1777 demonstrated that the rebellion could defeat a major British army.
The Saratoga campaign took place in northern New York. American forces compelled British General John Burgoyne to surrender at Saratoga on October 17, 1777. The victory changed European assessments of the conflict and strengthened American diplomatic efforts in France.
France had already been providing covert assistance, including supplies and weapons, but Saratoga encouraged open intervention. The resulting Treaty of Alliance was signed in 1778. French military and naval support later proved crucial, especially during the Yorktown campaign. Saratoga is therefore often described as a turning point, although the war continued for several more years before the Treaty of Paris ended it.