Battle+of+Saratoga

General John Burgoyne, of the British Army, tried to capture and seize New York to weaken the colonist forces. There were two battles of Saratoga, both battles took place in the year 1777, the first battle was started on September 17,1777 and the second was started on October 7, 1777 and on October 17,1777 British General John Burgoyne surrendered to Patriot forces. The Patriots were victorious in both battles.
 * What happened?**

The first battle of Saratoga took place at Freemans Farm, west bank of the Hudson River near Saratoga, New York. The second battle of Saratoga took place at Bemis Heights along the Hudson River.
 * Where did this take place?**

When the Americans won the Battle of Saratoga, it stopped the British from advancing into New York and splitting up the colonies. Also by winning this battle it helped convince the French that they could enter the Revolutionary War on the American/Patriot side.
 * How did this affect the Revolutionary War?**

If the British would've won this battle, it would've seperated Massachusetts from the other colonies and it also would've been harder to send/recieve news and converse with other colonies.
 * How did this affect Massachusetts?**

If the U.S. would've lost this battle, the colonies would've been seperated in the middle by New York, British territory, and the chances of the colonies winning the war would be slim. Then after the British winning the war America would end up being ruled by England and life today would be very different. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Burgoyne
 * Where would the United States be today?**

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/graphics/13mapnew.htm