Convention of Saratoga

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Engraving after John Trumbull's painting of Burgoyne's surrender. Burgoyne is offering his sword to Gates. Daniel Morgan is at Gates' side, in white, and Philip Schuyler may be seen at the extreme right, not in uniform. The surrender of a British and German army of 5,000 men at Saratoga has always been considered the turning point of the war although Yorktown was still four long years away. The American victory had one effect that was immediately measurable, however; it convinced the French that an American alliance could be worthwhile. Within four months the treaty pledging military support for the United States was signed. If Saratoga is today seen as the turning point, that is the reason.