Analyze the reasons for British defeat in the Hudson Valley Campaign of 1777 that culminated in the surrender at Saratoga in 1777

Analyze the reasons for British defeat in the Hudson Valley Campaign of 1777 that culminated in the surrender at Saratoga in 1777

Introduction

Plans can be only successful when they are brilliantly and systematically plotted. During the time of 1777, the British came across with many problems. It has been researched that few problems were not significant, but it greatly impacted over their political discipline. On that time, the key issue of British politics was the concept of territorial expansion. This idea became the destiny of United Kingdom for breaking New England from American states and seizing Philadelphia. Most of the people were in favor of this expansion; on the other hand, few politicians believed that it opposed the constitution. One of the key supporters of Territory expansion was the great democrat, Burgoyne and Howe, who served British government since long. Howe was highly in favor of seizing the boundaries of Philadelphia, as he was strongly willing to expand the territories.

Discussion

British had two key objectives; first to break New England from American states by a drive from Canada down the Hudson to Albany; and second to seize Philadelphia which was the revolutionary government of that time. In June 1777, the campaign started in New York with two-sided British drive from Canada. Research shows that British had a good position in 1777 for quelling the rebellion. They people made few mistakes that become the reason of losing war. During this time period, officials of British looked for many plans for their upcoming campaigns. Visibly, they decided to launch a campaign through Hudson River Valley and therefore, they cut off the rest of the colonies of New England.

General John Burgoyne was driving towards South from Canada and while General William Howe was lashing towards north from New York City. In the meantime, Barry St. Leger; a British General drove down to the Mohawk Valley in upstate New York. It should be observed that the reason of British defeat was not the plan but with its proper execution. We find the continuous debate that whether Howe was not informed about his own decision or not. The decision of capturing Philadelphia was better rather than working in the collaboration with St. Leger and Burgoyne. By seizing Philadelphia, Howe hoped that he will unite the Loyalists in Pennsylvania. But he discouraged the rebels by holding their capital and eventually brought war in a swift manner. It was found that Washington worked hard to frustrate the plan of Howe, but he could not guide him at Brandywine Creek. The wrong decisions of Howe for the settlement of forces in the winter at Valley Forge were the worst decision, as army faced from huge deprivation. In the similar time, St. Leger and Burgoyne suffered important defeats on the northern side at Bennington, Vermont; Oriskany, New York; and lastly at Saratoga, New ...