Welcome to Ben Franklin's World,

podcast about Early American History with Liz Covert.

The study of history is key to understanding who we are

and how we can affect a better future.

Van Franklin's world will introduce you to historical people and events that have impacted and shaped our present day world.

And now, here's your host, Liz Colarn.

Hello and welcome to episode 71 of Ben Franklin's world.

The podcast dedicated to helping you learn more about how the people and events of our early American

past have shaped the present-day world we live in. Historians often refer to the

Battle of Saratoga as the turning point of the American Revolution.

They argue that the Patriot Army's defeat of General John Burgoyne's British force

proved to the French that the Americans had what it took to defeat the professional British Army.

As a result, the French entered the war on behalf of the American Patriots, and in 1781, the joint

Franco-American force cornered Charles Earl Cornwallis at Yorktown, an action that

ended the war and secured the Americans their independence. This is the quick

uncomplicated version of Saratoga and the end of the war.

But as we know, history is more complicated than that.

And today, we're going to explore the Saratoga campaign of 1777 in a bit more depth. Our guide for this exploration is Bruce

Fenter, author of The Battle of Hubbardton, the Rear Guard action that saved America.

During our conversation, Bruce reveals the state of the American War for Independence in 1777.

British General John Burgoyne's plan for capturing the Lake Champlain Hudson River Corridor,

and the important role the Battle of Hubbardton played in the Patriots victory at the Battle of Saratoga.

...