Which battle was the turning point of the Revolutionary War?
(a)Saratoga
(b)Long Island
(c)West Point
(d)Fort Ticonderoga
http://battle1777.saratoga.org/
The turning point of the Revolutionary War was the Battle of Saratoga. To arrive at this answer, we can assess the significance of each option and determine which one had the greatest impact on the course of the war.
(a) Saratoga: The Battle of Saratoga took place in 1777 and was a pivotal moment in the war. The American forces, led by General Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold, defeated the British army, led by General John Burgoyne. This victory was crucial as it convinced the French to openly support the American cause and enter the war as allies, providing essential military and financial aid.
(b) Long Island: The Battle of Long Island (also known as the Battle of Brooklyn) occurred in 1776 and resulted in a British victory. However, it did not significantly alter the trajectory of the war. The American forces under General George Washington were outnumbered and forced to retreat, but they escaped capture and lived to fight another day.
(c) West Point: While the capture of West Point by British Major General Benedict Arnold in 1780 was a notable event, it cannot be considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War. Although Arnold's defection to the British side was a betrayal that harmed the American cause, it did not dramatically shift the outcome of the overall conflict.
(d) Fort Ticonderoga: The capture of Fort Ticonderoga by Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys in 1775 marked an early American victory in the war, but it did not have the same strategic or political impact as the Battle of Saratoga. Therefore, it cannot be considered the turning point of the Revolutionary War.
In conclusion, the Battle of Saratoga, option (a), was the turning point of the Revolutionary War due to its significant impact on American morale and the subsequent French alliance.