Final answer:
John Burgoyne was a British general known for his failed campaign in 1777 to isolate New England during the American Revolutionary War that culminated in a significant defeat at the Battle of Saratoga, leading to his surrender to American forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Burgoyne was a British general in the American Revolutionary War who is most famously known for his role in the 1777 Northern Campaign during the War. Burgoyne developed a plan, along with Prime Minister Lord North, to isolate New England by advancing three separate columns of British forces with the goal of converging at Albany. The primary column under Burgoyne's command would march south from Montreal. However, due to a series of miscalculations and setbacks, including a lack of support from British forces that were supposed to move down from Canada, abandonment by Indian allies, loss of supplies, and delays in wilderness terrain, Burgoyne's operations culminated in a pivotal American victory at the Battle of Saratoga.
This defeat had major strategic consequences; Burgoyne surrendered to American forces under Major General Gates on October 17, 1777, which was a turning point in the war. The Surrender of General Burgoyne and his 6,600 troops intensified French support for the American cause, swinging international alliances in favor of the colonial fighters.