British strategy changed throughout the course of the war as the British came up against more obstacles and challenges than they anticipated. The British strategy at the beginning of the war was simply to contain the American Revolution in Massachusetts and prevent it from spreading. This proved difficult though when the British suffered devastating casualties at the Battle of Bunker Hill in June of 1775 during the Siege of Boston.
The British believed the city of Albany was the key to securing the Hudson River. By placing a stranglehold on this vital waterway, the British would be able to cut New England off from the Middle Colonies.
