American Revolutionary War What-If

In 1777, as part of a grand strategy to end the war, the British sent an invasion force from Canada to seal off New England, which the British perceived as the primary source of agitators. In a major case of mis-coordination, the British army in New York City went to Philadelphia which it captured from Washington. The invasion army under Burgoyne waited in vain for reinforcements from New York, and became trapped in northern New York state. It surrendered after the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777

Suppose the British army in New York moved north to meet with Burgoyne's force and took New England for the loyalists. They then turn south and take Philadelphia regardless. What would have happened in such a scenario?
 
Have to be more particular
I take it you mean that Howe meets Burgonye at Albany according to Burgonye's plan. Probabaly no major battle in the area unless Howe moves extremely slowly and the Americans attack Burgonye before Howe gets there.Probably no Saratoga so French won't intervene right away without a major American victory.
Also this is very easy to acchieve. Just have Germain tell both Howe and Burgonye the same plan instead of allowing Howe to attack Philadelphia.
 
Have to be more particular
I take it you mean that Howe meets Burgonye at Albany according to Burgonye's plan. Probabaly no major battle in the area unless Howe moves extremely slowly and the Americans attack Burgonye before Howe gets there.Probably no Saratoga so French won't intervene right away without a major American victory.
Also this is very easy to acchieve. Just have Germain tell both Howe and Burgonye the same plan instead of allowing Howe to attack Philadelphia.

OK, so Germain tells How and Burgoyne the same plan and they converge near Albany and New England falls completely into British hands. France doesn't intervene in fabour of the Americans at this time. What happens in the period 1776-'77 and by extension in the rest of the American Revolutionary War.
 
OK, so Germain tells How and Burgoyne the same plan and they converge near Albany and New England falls completely into British hands. France doesn't intervene in fabour of the Americans at this time. What happens in the period 1776-'77 and by extension in the rest of the American Revolutionary War.
Just going to point out that the plan was to isolate New England, not take it, New England was always the center of the rebellion and every major venture they made their pretty much ended in defeat

I think, don't quote me on this please, I am not fully sure
 
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Well, first of all, the plan was ill-conceived.

But the New York militia would have fought. It makes sense to assume the same rebel forces as historically, plus some transfers from the Main Army to the Highlands Army.

In our time line, the Northern Army only had to delay, wait for Burgoyne's Army to run low on supplies, and wait for more militia to arrive. In this time line, the Northern Army would have good reason to try to defeat Burgoyne's army earlier, and then support the campaign against Howe's Army.

So, depending whether Gates decides to try for an earlier victory, or decides to stay on the defensive, it's possible that the conflict between Gates and Arnold might either be butterflied away or end with Gates cashiered and Arnold in command.
 
Just going to point out that the plan was to isolate New England, not take it, New England was always the center of the rebellion and every major venture they made their pretty much ended in defeat

I think, don't quote me on this please, I am not fully sure

Well, I think the British managed to take Newport. But you're right about the point of the Saratoga campaign, and that New England would have remained in rebellion.
 
Washington has to make a decision of how much to commit to Albany. Depending on how much he commits and the end result the war could take entirely different paths. I think that Washington tries to avoid a fight with Howe but Gates might force a fight with Burgonye.

(BTW this changes the history of my area a lot. I live near Germantown pike outside Philly.)
 
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