The American Revolutionary War: Allies--France

Figure 1.--This painting, titled 'French patriotism' or 'The departure for the American War of Independence' depicts a young French nobleman volunteering for service to fight in the American Revolution. The grey wig he is wearing is deciving. Note that he is shorter than his father, meaning that he was a teenager prehapd 15 years old or so. It was painted by Pierre-Alexandre Wille a genre artist. It features a scene in Frane set uring the American Revolution. as France allied itself to the American cause. It seems to have been painted in 1780 in contemporary times. We see a young officer taking an oath before a bust of the King of France--at the time Louis XVI.

France was a divine rights absolutist monarchy from which most Americans were grateful that the British had protected them during the French and Indian War which developed into the Seven Years War in Europe. France was a reluctant ally, but was attracted by the opportunity for revenge against the British after the comprehensive defeat in North America, the Caribbean, India, and Europe. The French government, led by King Louis XVI, sought to regain prestige and power lost during those conflicts. And supporting a popular cause was am attractive if expensive decision for the monarch who only recently risen to the throne (1774). The prospects for American victory at first seemed remote. Franklin and Adams worked to secure French assistance. Franklin proved especially adroitly exploited popular vsyopathies. It was the stunning news of the Colonists destruction of an entire British field army at Saratoga that decided the matter (October 1777). The French monarchy had no sympathy for the ideals of the Revolution. The French public and Enlightenment thinkers, however, were drawn to the Revolution. They were attracted to the idea of delivering a substantial defeat to Britain. It is said that wars make for strange bedfellow. Louis XIV for example, made common cause with Ottoman Turks invading Europe. France and the American colonies signed a Treaty of Alliance along with The Franco-American Treaty of Amity and Commerce at the Hótel de Crillon in Paris (February 6, 1778). France would be America's key ally in the War. The Americans received assistance from other countries, but only France had the capability of providing war winning levels of assistance. And we doubt if the Dutch and Spanish would have assisted the Colonies if France had not entered the War. Without France an American victory seems improbable. A French fleet arrived off Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island (July 29, 1778). They supported a Colonist effort to take back Rhode Island. The effort failed, largely because a storm damaged the French fleet. Even so, critically important arms and financial assistance assistance flowed to Washington's Continental Army. The war winning battle of Yorktown was fought by a American and French force defeated a second British field army (1781). The Americans succeeded in their struggle in large part because they were aided by a French monarchy that was opposed to offering the same liberties to his people that the Americans were demanding from their king. In the end, the massive aid to American virtually bankrupted the monarchy. This and the stirring example of the American Revolution led directly to the French Revolution (1789).

Created: 1:35 AM 6/28/2026
Last updated: 1:35 AM 6/28/2026