What is the significance of the Battle of Saratoga?

The Battle of Saratoga was the confrontation that decided the fate of British General John Burgoyne's army during the American Revolutionary War and is also recognized as the moment in that the conflict began to turn in favor of the United States. It consisted of two major battles that were fought eight days apart on the same land, nine miles from Saratoga, New York. The Burgoyne campaign, aimed at dividing New England, began well but eventually changed due to logistical problems after a tactical victory won over the Continental Army under General Command Horatio Gates on September 19 at the Battle of Freeman's Farm, but at a very high cost. His achievements were erased when he again attacked the Americans on October 7 at the Battle of Bemis Heights and the Americans eventually captured much of the English army. Burgoyne was then forced to withdraw and his forces eventually surrendered to a numerically superior American army at Saratoga, which also led him to surrender formally on October 17. The news of Burgoyne's surrender finally convinced the government of France to ally itself in the war with the Americans. French participation turned the war into a "global" conflict. This battle also drew Spain to the American cause.