Where were the British, under General Howe's command, located during the winter of 1777-78? A: Philadelphia B: New York C: Boston D: Saratoga

A: Philadelphia

During the American Revolutionary War, the British, under the command of General William Howe, captured Philadelphia in September 1777. Philadelphia was an important city as it was the location of the Continental Congress, the governing body of the thirteen American colonies. The British hoped that taking Philadelphia would undermine the Revolution's political and symbolic epicenter, affecting Patriot morale and the colonies' governance. However, this strategic move did not have the intended effect, as the Continental Congress reconvened elsewhere and the war continued.

In contrast to the British comfort in Philadelphia, the American Continental Army, led by General George Washington, endured a harsh winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge, northwest of Philadelphia. The conditions at Valley Forge were stark, with troops suffering from cold, hunger, and disease. Despite these hardships, the time at Valley Forge turned out to be pivotal for the Continental Army because it underwent a significant training program supervised by Baron Friedrich von Steuben, a Prussian military officer. This training greatly improved the professionalism and effectiveness of the American troops.

The British occupation of Philadelphia ended in June 1778 when the British evacuated the city in anticipation of the French joining the war on the American side. The British forces then retreated to New York City, which remained their stronghold for much of the war. The decision to leave Philadelphia is seen as a consequence of the shifting strategic considerations following the Franco-American alliance, and it represented a turning point in the war, with the British adopting a more defensive strategy henceforth.