Did the Battle of Redbank bring France into the War of Independence?

Americans generally assume that the surrender of Sir John Burgoyne to General Horatio Gates at Saratoga on 17 October 1777 caused France to openly enter the American War of Independence. Saratoga was a major military victory, an immense morale booster, and a source of propaganda for American leaders. But France’s decision to join the American rebels came after years of preparation and was by no means monocausal. For King Louis XVI and his foreign minister, the comte de Vergennes, the American use of the victory for domestic purposes was of little relevance. Their decision was based on how Saratoga fit into the global political and military context and affected French interests and the balance of power in Europe. This illustrated talk explores the French interpretation of the Hessian debacle in the trenches around Fort Redbank and how it shaped Louis XVI’s decision to openly enter the war.

Robert A. Selig is a historical consultant who received his Ph.D. in history from the Universität Würzburg in Germany in 1988. He specializes in the role of French forces under the comte de Rochambeau during the American War of Independence and serves as project historian for the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail Project.

Support for the Fall Lecture Series is provided by Friends of Saratoga Battlefield. Reservations are required due to limited space. Email [email protected] to reserve your seat.

This event is free to attend.

Date: November 12, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Duration: 1 hour
Location coordinates: 43.012212, -73.648927
Contact: Garrett Cloer, 581-670-2980