American Revolution | Saratoga | 4
6/24/202639 min
In 1777, as Americans sought the support of France, Benjamin Franklin struggled to convince officials in Paris to form a military alliance with the new United States. Meanwhile, British General John Burgoyne planned a grand strategy to crush the rebellion by conquering the Hudson River Valley. That summer, his troops fought the Continental Army in a battle that would turn the tide of the American Revolution.
But late that year, American forces faced a winter of peril as George Washington led his exhausted army into quarters at Valley Forge, where the soldiers endured disease, freezing conditions, and the threat of starvation.
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Transcript preview
First 90 secondsLindsay Graham· Host0:00
Hello, American History Teller listeners. I have an exciting announcement. I'm going on tour and coming to a theater near you. This live show is a thrilling evening of history, storytelling, and music with a full band accompanying me as we look back to explore the days that made America, and they aren't the days that you might think. Sure, everyone knows July 4th 1776. We'll be hearing a lot about that date this year, but there are many other days that are maybe even more influential. So come out to see me live. More shows to be announced soon. So for information on tickets and upcoming dates, go to americanhistorylive.com. That's americanhistorylive.com. Come see my Days That Made America Tour live on stage. Go to americanhistorylive.com. [drum roll] [footsteps] Imagine it's June 1777. The afternoon sun bears down on you as you stand in an open field beside a river in Unadilla, New York. You're a Mohawk leader, and you're meeting with your old neighbor, Patriot General Nicholas Herkimer. One hundred of your warriors lurk in the forest, but Herkimer has brought four hundred militiamen with him in a clear show of force. Herkimer steps forward, extending his hand. "It's good to see you again." You grip his hand firmly and narrow your gaze. "Is it?" "Of course. As you well know, I've long admired the Indians. Some of them are my closest friends, and I've come today in the name of peace." "Peace? And yet you bring hundreds of