What was the British strategy for cutting off New England?

- British control of New York Harbor: Already achieved during the first phase of the war, this provided the staging ground for the second phase.

- Seizing control of the Hudson River: This would split New England from the southern and middle colonies, leaving New England alone to deal with the British army.

Burgoyne's Plan:

- British forces from Canada would march south: These forces would meet up with Howe somewhere around Albany. The two forces would then sweep in, cutting off New England.

- Loyalist forces would rise up: British generals believed that there were thousands of loyalists in the colonies, just waiting for the British army to arrive so that they could join the fight against the rebels.