During the Revolutionary War, instead of meeting General Burgoyne in Albany, General Howe made an ill-advised decision to capture which city?

During the Revolutionary War, General Howe made the strategic decision to focus on capturing Philadelphia instead of following through with the plan to meet General Burgoyne in Albany. This decision is often seen as misguided because it diverted resources and attention away from a crucial point in the conflict.

Philadelphia was the location of the Second Continental Congress and held significant political value as the heart of American revolutionary activity at the time. Capturing it was intended to demoralize the colonial leadership and disrupt their efforts. However, Howe's move ultimately did not contribute effectively to the British strategy of cutting off New England from the rest of the colonies, as Burgoyne was left to face American forces in the north without the needed support from Howe's army.

This choice reflects Howe's prioritization of immediate tactical gains in urban areas over the broader strategic objectives that could have potentially led to a British victory in the war. The consequences of this decision became evident later when Burgoyne faced defeat at the Battle of Saratoga, a turning point that ultimately led to increased support for the American cause from foreign nations.