France and the American Revolutionary War

Both France and the United States have gone through revolutions that drastically changed the way they operated as countries. America sought to release itself from British rule, while the French simply wanted to defeat the British 1. Starting in the 12th century, there were always small land disputes between England and France 1. These small conflicts eventually led to a war, referred to as the Hundred Years War, between France and England, occurring from 1337 to 1453 1. This was a long, convoluted battle over titles and land ownership between both of the European powers. In relation to the American Revolution, however, it fuelled hatred between England and France 1.

France and England both landed in North America to colonize the New World. England found New England in the modern day North East America and France settled New France in modern day Eastern Canada 2. Both of these countries wanted to become more powerful and wanted to spread their language and their culture. The desire to be the more powerful led to the Seven Years war which was a territorial battle over a piece of land, in the modern day upper Ohio River valley. This war determined whose culture and language would be at the heart of the New World and, in a way, determined which culture was more superior to the other. On September 3, 1759, the English forces proved superior and forced Quebec City to fall and surrender, which later caused Montreal and all of France's territory in the New World to crumble 2.

The colonists of America certainly wanted France's support, as France was one of the strongest military forces at the time, aside from England. In 1776, Benjamin Franklin traveled over to Europe and acted as an ambassador for America and received praises from the people of France. French citizens that dislike England were ready to support any cause that would hurt England 3.

France was involved in the revolution monetarily and then later became involved militarily. Secretly, France smuggled goods and ammunition into the colonies without the obscene taxes from England 3. France was able to do this by creating a fake Spanish company Rodrigue Hortalez et Compagnie and using Spanish ports in the New World, which could then be easily transported to New England from Spanish territory 3.

America being a newly formed country needed help and France wanted to help them, but the American's military power seemed weak after continual defeat of the English4. However in 1777, the Americans defeated the English army at the Battle of Saratoga. France now had the assurance they needed that America was strong enough to only need assistance, rather than have France fighting the battle for them4.

A few months after America defeated the English at Saratoga, Franklin and the French Foreign Minister, Charles Gravier de Vergennes signed the Treaty of Alliance between America and France 4.

However,