The American victory at Saratoga was a huge point of pride for the Americans.
The morale generated by the stunning victory helped turn the tide of the war by
reinvigorating the inexperienced patriots. An example of this lasting pride is
shown above in the form of a postage stamp from 1927 that pictures the surrender
of Burgoyne's army at Saratoga.
The morale generated by the stunning victory helped turn the tide of the war by
reinvigorating the inexperienced patriots. An example of this lasting pride is
shown above in the form of a postage stamp from 1927 that pictures the surrender
of Burgoyne's army at Saratoga.
The American triumph at Saratoga encouraged the American troops to believe that they had the potential to defeat the mightiest army in the world, the British redcoats. The redcoats were well trained, better equipped, and were significantly more organized (1). The British empire was the powerhouse of the globe, and for such a young nation and army to not only crush a large quantity of their forces, but bring shame to an entire empire, lifted their spirits like no other victory at that point in the war. The Americans proved to the French that they were a worthy ally, and proved to themselves that they were a force to be reckoned with (2). This victory also proved to the Americans that their cause was not in vain, and that victory over the British could truly be achieved (3). On the contrary, the British concluded that the American side was, despite their lack of experience and disorderliness, a genuine threat. As a British General said after his defeat: "The courage and obstinacy with which the Americans fought were the astonishment of everyone, and we now become fully convinced they are not the contemptible enemy we had hitherto imagined them, incapable of standing a regular engagement" (4). General Horatio Gates understood the magnitude of their victory, and how much it shunned the British soldiers. In order to further dampen the British soldier's souls, he made General Burgoyne and his troops hand over their arms (5). Additionally, the British troops had to leave behind their dead, lowering morale to its depths (6). The rejuvenation of the belief that the Americans' efforts thus far were not in vain, and the crumbling of British resolve made the victory at Saratoga a turning point in the Revolutionary War.
Primary Source
"The courage and obstinacy with which the Americans fought were the astonishment of everyone, and we now become fully convinced they are not the contemptible enemy we had hitherto imagined them, incapable of standing a regular engagement" (4)- British Officer
The above quote displays strongly the respect gained by the British toward the American troops. We can also infer that this dampened British morale and enhanced American morale greatly. It conveys to us that the British truly recognized that the Americans were a legitimate opposition and the war would not be a cakewalk. This shows that the morale boost from Saratoga helped it become the key turning point of the Revolutionary War.
The above quote displays strongly the respect gained by the British toward the American troops. We can also infer that this dampened British morale and enhanced American morale greatly. It conveys to us that the British truly recognized that the Americans were a legitimate opposition and the war would not be a cakewalk. This shows that the morale boost from Saratoga helped it become the key turning point of the Revolutionary War.
1. David C. King, Saratoga (Brookfield, Conn.: Twenty-First Century Books, 1998), [Page 47].
2. U.S. Department of the Interior, "Saratoga," National Park Service, accessed March 30, 2014, http://www.nps.gov/sara/index.htm, [Page 1].
3. U.S. Department of the Interior, "Saratoga," National Park Service, [Page 1].
4. David C. King, Saratoga (Brookfield, Conn.: Twenty-First Century Books, 1998), [Page 47].
5. Don Nardo, The Battle of Saratoga (Minneapolis, Minn.: Compass Point Books, 2008), [Pages 37].
6. Nardo, The Battle of Saratoga, [Page 37-38]
2. U.S. Department of the Interior, "Saratoga," National Park Service, accessed March 30, 2014, http://www.nps.gov/sara/index.htm, [Page 1].
3. U.S. Department of the Interior, "Saratoga," National Park Service, [Page 1].
4. David C. King, Saratoga (Brookfield, Conn.: Twenty-First Century Books, 1998), [Page 47].
5. Don Nardo, The Battle of Saratoga (Minneapolis, Minn.: Compass Point Books, 2008), [Pages 37].
6. Nardo, The Battle of Saratoga, [Page 37-38]