French intervention in the battle of Yorktown. Summarize the course and conduct of the Revolutionary War after 1778, and describe the key role played by France in the final victory at Yorktown.
In 1778, the war over the rebellion in North America became international spreading not only to Europe but to the European colonies chiefly in India. After learning of the American victory in Saratoga, France signed the Treaty of Alliance with the United States on February 6, 1778. Spain entered the war as an ally of France in June 1779; however, initially refused to recognize the independence of the United States. Spain was not keen on encouraging similar anti-colonial rebellions in the Spanish Empire. Both countries had quietly provided assistance to the Americans since the beginning of the war hoping to dilute British power. So too had the Netherlands, eventually brought into open war at the end of 1780.
In London, King George III gave up hope of subduing America by more armies while Britain had a European war to fight. The King was determined never to acknowledge the independence of the Americans, and to punish their contumacy by the indefinite prolongation of a war which promised to be eternal. His plan was to keep the 30,000 men garrisoned in New York, Rhode Island, in Florida and Canada; other forces would attack the French and Spanish in the West Indies. To punish the Americans the King planned to destroy their coasting-trade, bombard their ports sack and burn towns along the coast and turn loose the Native Americans to attack civilians in frontier settlements. These operations, the King felt, would inspire the Loyalists and splinter Congress. This would also keep the rebels harassed, anxious, and poor, until the day when, they would beg to return to his authority. The plan meant destruction for the Loyalists and Native Americans and indefinite prolongation of a costly war, as well as the risk of disaster as the French and Spanish were assembling an armada to invade the British Isles and seize London. The British planned to re-subjugate the rebellious colonies after dealing with their European allies.
The Battle of the Chesapeake was a crucial naval
In London, King George III gave up hope of subduing America by more armies while Britain had a European war to fight. The King was determined never to acknowledge the independence of the Americans, and to punish their contumacy by the indefinite prolongation of a war which promised to be eternal. His plan was to keep the 30,000 men garrisoned in New York, Rhode Island, in Florida and Canada; other forces would attack the French and Spanish in the West Indies. To punish the Americans the King planned to destroy their coasting-trade, bombard their ports sack and burn towns along the coast and turn loose the Native Americans to attack civilians in frontier settlements. These operations, the King felt, would inspire the Loyalists and splinter Congress. This would also keep the rebels harassed, anxious, and poor, until the day when, they would beg to return to his authority. The plan meant destruction for the Loyalists and Native Americans and indefinite prolongation of a costly war, as well as the risk of disaster as the French and Spanish were assembling an armada to invade the British Isles and seize London. The British planned to re-subjugate the rebellious colonies after dealing with their European allies.
The Battle of the Chesapeake was a crucial naval