The British, two years into the American…
August 1777 CE
The British, two years into the American Revolutionary War, change their plans.
Giving up on the rebellious New England colonies, they decide to split the Thirteen Colonies and isolate New England from what the British believe to be the more loyal southern colonies.
The British command devises a grand plan to divide the colonies via a three-way pincer movement.
The western pincer, under the command of Barry St. Leger, is repulsed when the Siege of Fort Stanwix fails, and the southern pincer, which is to progress up the Hudson valley from New York City, never starts since General William Howe decides instead to capture Philadelphia.
The northern pincer, proceeding southward from Montreal, enjoys the most success.
After the British victories at Hubbardton, Fort Ticonderoga, and Fort Anne, General John Burgoyne proceeds with the Saratoga campaign, with the goal of capturing Albany and gaining control of the Hudson River Valley, where Burgoyne's force can (as the plan goes) meet the other pincers, dividing the colonies in two.