Social Studies Worksheet

Social Studies Worksheet

SOCIAL STUDIES WORKSHEET

Battles of Saratoga

There were many battles on the way to American independence. The Saratoga battle was an important victory. This victory convinced the French that Americans had a chance to win and fought on their side.

The main leader for the British was General John Burgoyne. The Americans were led by Major General HoratioGates as well as General Benedict Arnold.

Burgoyne had come up with a plan to defeat the American colonies. He would split the colonies in two along the Hudson River. With the colonies divided, he was sure they could not stand. He was going to lead his army south from Lake Champlain to Albany, New York. At the same time General Howe(British) was to advance north along the Hudson River. They would meet at Albany.

Burgoyne and his army successfully advanced south. General Howe, however, had other plans. Instead of heading north to Albany, he headed east to take Philadelphia. Burgoyne was on his own.

As the British continued south, the Americans harassed them along the way. Burgoyne's progress was slow and the British began to run out of food. Burgoyne sent some of his soldiers to Bennington, Vermont but he lost them. They were captured by Americans so they surrendered.

The Americans under General Gates pursued the British army. Within days, they had them surrounded. The British surrendered on October 17, 1777.

The Battles of Saratoga and the surrender of the British army under General Burgoyne was one of the major turning points of the Revolutionary War. The Americans morale was boosted and the country now felt it could win the war. Just as important to the war, the French decided to support the Americans with military aid.

Make sure you read the text above carefully.

Answer the following questions:

1. Who was the commander of the British forces?

a. Horatio Gates

b. John Burgoyne

c. Benjamin Lincoln

d. William Howe

2. Where was General Burgoyne to meet up with General Howe?

  1. Albany
  2. New York City
  3. Saratoga
  4. Philadelphia

3. What happened to the British troops sent to Bennington, Vermont?

  1. They gathered much needed supplies and horses
  2. They defeated a small force of militia
  3. They were surrounded by the Continental army but managed to fight their way back
  4. They were defeated by American forces and surrendered

4. Which statement best describes the results of the Battles of Saratoga?

  1. The Americans suffered a massive defeat nearly costing them the war
  2. The British army retreated to fight another day
  3. The British army surrendered, causing a turning point in the war in favor of the Americans
  4. The battles were indecisive having no impact on the overall war

5. What country decided to provide military support to the Americans after they won the Battle of Saratoga?

  1. France
  2. Canada
  3. Austria
  4. China

6. Name the characters that participated in the battles.

British:______

______

American:______

______

7. Very briefly explain who won the battles of Saratoga and which country decided to support the Americans during the war.

______

______

______

______

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