250 years of US independence: How France helped turn the tide of the Revolutionary War
Summary
France secretly supported the American colonies during the Revolutionary War and officially allied with them after the American victory at Saratoga in 1777. France was the first country to recognize American independence in 1777 and signed military and commercial treaties with the United States in 1778, turning the conflict into an international war.Key Facts
- On July 4, 1776, thirteen American colonies declared independence from Britain.
- France had been secretly sending weapons and funds to the American rebels before officially joining the war.
- The American win at the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777 convinced King Louis XVI of France to openly support the revolutionaries.
- On December 17, 1777, France became the first country to officially recognize the United States.
- In February 1778, France and the U.S. signed two treaties in Versailles—one for trade, one for military alliance.
- This alliance prevented either country from making peace with Britain without the other's consent.
- Benjamin Franklin was well received in France and helped gain French support, while John Adams was less successful in adapting to French culture.
- The war escalated from a colonial rebellion to an international conflict involving major world powers.
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