The Topic For Your Essay Is From The American Revolutionwar For Indep
The topic for your essay is from the American Revolution/War For Independence era: Explain the significance of the Battle of Saratoga, why it was considered a turning point in the war. Your essay should include background of the war leading up to the battle, but more importantly, the battle itself and the consequences/results of the battle. This is NOT an essay about the Revolutionary War, although there should be some war background. This is about Saratoga and your emphasis should be on that event. A title page is not necessary.
Place the title, your name, and campus location at the top of page one. Sources can be either primary or secondary and must be cited using either APA, MLA, or Turabian style (in text, footnotes, or endnotes are acceptable). Claiming words as your own from a source without proper citation is equivalent to plagiarism of which punishment is harsh. Even if you just rephrase or paraphrase a concept in a paragraph, whether you are using a quote or not, you must cite the source. The citing of any quote is mandatory.
A minimum of five credible sources is required; more is acceptable. Acceptable sources include books, academic, professional or scholarly journals, government documents, and professional agency websites. EBSCO and other database articles in bound journals are appropriate. The textbook should not be used as a source. Primary sources such as personal diaries, journals, personal correspondence, and newspapers of the period are also acceptable.
Do not use contemporary newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, or dictionaries, including Wikipedia. Personal interviews are not allowed. Students may not use more than two websites as sources. EBSCO is a database, not a website. All citations must be correct to avoid point deductions. Improper citation, incorrect grammar, or punctuation will affect your grade.
Use one-inch margins, Times New Roman font, size 12, and double spacing. Number all pages at the bottom of each page. The essay must be between 700 and 1000 words, excluding the bibliography.
The essay is due by 12 noon, Friday, October 21, 2016. Submit via email attachment or through Blackboard; Word format is preferred. Late submissions lose 10 points per hour starting at 12:01 pm, and submissions after 6:00 pm on March 11 will receive zero points. Read "Keys to Writing Better Papers," available on the essay information page, for guidance.
Paper For Above instruction
The Battle of Saratoga and its Significance in the American Revolution
The American Revolution was a pivotal moment in world history, marking the thirteen American colonies' fight for independence from Great Britain. Among the many battles that shaped this conflict, the Battle of Saratoga stands out as a critical turning point. This essay explores the background leading up to the battle, a detailed account of Saratoga itself, and its profound consequences that ultimately influenced the course of the revolution.
Background of the American Revolution
In the years leading up to the Battle of Saratoga, tensions between the colonies and Britain escalated due to issues such as taxation without representation, restrictions on colonial trade, and increasing colonial demands for self-governance. The deployment of British troops in the colonies, notably after the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townsend Acts, fueled unrest. The colonies' initial efforts to resolve disputes diplomatically gave way to armed conflict, beginning with battles like Lexington and Concord in 1775. By 1777, the colonies were engaged in a full-scale war, with the Continental Army fighting to sustain the revolution amid logistical challenges and internal divisions.
The Battle of Saratoga:
A Detailed Account
Fought over two significant engagements in September and October 1777, the Battles of Saratoga involved American forces led by General Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold, against a formidable British army commanded by General John Burgoyne. The British aimed to control the Hudson River Valley and sever New England from the southern colonies, thereby crippling the patriot resistance. Burgoyne's plan was to advance southward from Canada with a force that would meet reinforcements from other British armies.
However, the American forces employed superior tactics, strategic positioning, and advantageously used the terrain. They besieged Burgoyne's army at Saratoga, ultimately forcing his surrender on October 17, 1777. The victory was a decisive blow to the British and showcased the effectiveness of American militia and continental soldiers. It also demonstrated that the colonial rebellion could succeed against a major military power.
Consequences and Results of the Battle
The immediate consequence of Saratoga was the surrender of a large British force, which demoralized British efforts and boosted American morale. Most significantly, the battle persuaded France to openly
support the American cause, entering into a formal alliance in 1778. The Franco-American alliance provided crucial military aid, supplies, and funding that transformed the Revolutionary War into a global conflict.
Saratoga's diplomatic impact cannot be overstated; it shifted the balance of power and created a geopolitical environment favorable to the Americans. The victory also fostered a sense of unity and legitimacy among the colonies, strengthening their resolve to pursue independence. The success at Saratoga is credited with convincing other European powers, such as Spain and the Netherlands, to support the American revolutionaries, thereby prolonging and expanding the war effort.
Conclusion
The Battle of Saratoga was a pivotal event in the American Revolution, often regarded as the turning point that shifted the momentum in favor of the colonies. Its strategic importance extended beyond the battlefield, influencing international diplomacy and laying the groundwork for ultimate independence. Recognizing its significance provides a deeper understanding of how this battle shaped the course of American history and helped establish the United States as an independent nation.
References
Ferling, J. (2007). Setting the World Ablaze: Washington, Adams, Lincoln, and the Fight for American Independence. Oxford University Press.
Greenberg, J. E. (2005). The Battle of Saratoga. Vintage Books.
Middlekauff, R. (2005). The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789. Oxford University Press.
Carl von Clausewitz. (1976). On War. Princeton University Press. (originally published in 1832)
Higginbotham, D. (2004). The War of American Independence: Military Attitudes, Policies, and Practice, 1763–1789. Yale University Press.
Wood, G. S. (1992). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage Books.
Gordon, M. (2000). Bayonets in the Wilderness: Anthony Wayne and the Army of the American Revolution. University of Oklahoma Press.
Ketchum, W. (1997). Saratoga: Turning Point of the Revolutionary War. Henry Holt & Co.
Conway, S. (1922). The American Revolution. Macmillan.
Gordon S. Wood, "The American Revolution: A History," (Oxford University Press, 2002).
