The extension of the war

French - reasons for joining war on American side

• Government of Louis XVI realised opportunity to avenge outcome of 7 Years’ War (British victory) + weaken Britain

• Rivalry with Britain

• Future commercial benefits America

• Genuine belief in cause

Lead up/events French joining war

• Louis does withhold formal recognition of American independence while outcome of war is in doubt

• Congress sends Benjamin Franklin as head of a diplomatic mission to Paris 1776 - won French admiration via his simplicity etc.

• Saratoga ended French fears of American collapse

Two treaties signed 6 February 1778 France and America

The Treaty of Amity and Commerce - recognizing the US as a sovereign nation and establishing trade (commercial agreement)

The Treaty of Alliance - defensive alliance to take effect when France went to war with Britain (military pact)

When did France go to war with Britain?

June 1778

When did Spain enter the war?

April 1779

Whose side was Spain on

Ally of France, but not America - wanted to regain possessions lost to Britain (e.g. Florida, Jamaica) in 7 Years’ War

When did the Netherlands join war

1780

Whose side were the Netherlands on

Aiding France and Spain, Britain declared war on it

When was the League of Armed Neutrality formed?

1780

Which countries formed the League of Armed Neutrality

• Russia, Sweden and Denmark

• Prussia, Portugal and Austria joined in 1781

What did the League of Armed Neutrality hope to do, and succeed in doing?

• Formed for the protection of neutral rights, given Britain’s blockade of America

• Succeeded in bolstering US international position

France’s population size of 1778

25 million - OVER twice that of Britain

France’s army size of 1778 (+ navy)

150,000 strong (+ tried to construct a fleet capable of challenging British naval supremacy)

Problems for Britain with French entry into war

• Had to defend Gibraltar, Minorca and possessions in Africa, India and the West Indies

• Threat of French invasion

Problems with French

• Concerned with promoting its own interests rather than aiding America

• Although a French naval squadron arrived in American waters in 1778, soon departed for the Caribbean, bent on capturing British sugar islands

• France sent fewer than 10,000 troops to America