The Battle of Saratoga, fought in 1777, marked the turning point of the American Revolutionary War. American forces, under Generals Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold, achieved a decisive victory over British General John Burgoyne’s troops. This victory was crucial as it boosted American morale and convinced France of the viability of the American cause, leading to a formal alliance in 1778. The increased French support provided vital resources and military assistance, which ultimately contributed to the American victory and independence from British rule, significantly altering the course of the war.