French Involvement In The American Revolution

French Involvement In The American Revolution
When scouring the internet for poignant quotes about the American Revolution, there are few to be found more fitting than this gem, spoken by Woodrow Wilson: "Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of it. The history of liberty is a history of resistance". Of course, it is generally agreed by those knowledgeable on the revolution that it was necessary for the colonists to rebel against their oppressors and fight for their own liberty. However, on the Fourth of July, as patriotic Americans set off shoddy firecrackers in their backyards, there isn't a thought in the nation about one of the most important reasons for US independence: the French. Without
This was significant to the American cause because they were badly in need of supplies already and the war was just beginning for example, during the battle of Bunker Hill (a colonial siege that took place in Boston) The British troops were able overpower the Americans by sheer numbers. The colonists ran out of ammunition and were forced to retreat (Benson). The fact that the Americans had to give up simply because they weren't properly supplied is a large part of the reason why they needed a better prepared nation such as France. This early stage of the revolution became a transitional period as the French became more important to the war effort. Part of the reason why the French were so eager to assist the Americans even unofficially was because the French prime minister Compte De Vergennes wanted to get back at Britain. He convinced the king (Louis XVI) to assent to helping the Americans in secret. The war supplies such as ammo and weapons were given to a man named Caron de Beaumarchais and his fake, decoy company. He then arranged with patriot leaders in order to have them shipped across the Atlantic (Higginbotham). Another French figure that became vital to the Revolutionary effort was Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de LaFayette, otherwise known as Marquis de LaFayette. He disobeyed his King and sailed to America anyway with his own ship that
This battle was very important to the patriotic cause. The French were reluctant to declare war on Britain officially, as Britain was a major power. They needed proof that the Americans had the ability and the commitment to keep up the war effort. In the coming time, however, they were given plenty of reasons that would banish their initial doubt. Firstly, The victory at Saratoga was a large reason for the French to enter the war officially because it proved to the French that the Americans would hold up their end of the bargain and could win their own battles when necessary. Another reason why the French were inclined to join the revolutionary effort were the rumors that Britain was prepared to offer the colonists huge concessions in return for peace and the French wanted a cut of the rewards (Higginbotham). Another reason for the French to join the American cause was the French people’s determination to avenge their embarrassment over the Seven Years’ War. They thought that if they could defeat Britain, it would help to ease the sting of their bitter previous loss. These genuine and high-stake motivations were more than enough reason to enter the war publicly. Formal Treaties (Treaty of Amity and Commerce and Treaty of Alliance) were signed by diplomats from both America and France; in the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, France gave up any claim