US History

U.S. History Study Guide

victory at Saratoga helped to convince the French that the colonies were serious about fighting for the independence. With the French joining the Revolution, the war amped up. 6.8 France and American Alliance Benjamin Franklin waited to hear good news in France, he did his best working the French elite, but only a big colonial victory could get the French to formally enter the war on the side of the Americans. Having the French as allies was crucial for the Americans due to France and England were the biggest powers of their time and adding them to the equation could mean a victory for the United States. Strategically, this meant the English would now have to worry about attacks on their other colonies and even an invasion of England from the French. The French would help to finance the Revolution and provide a much needed navy. On February 6, 1778 the French officially recognized the United States as its own sovereign nation by signing the Treaty of Alliance. The French would aid the Americans, providing its navy and gunpowder to be used by the colonists. Eventually their naval blockade would force the British to surrender and shortly after this defeat, end the war. Without the French, there would be no United States. 6.9 Valley Forge The winter of 1778 was hard for the American troops at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Washington's men were dressed in rags, with very little food, and living in crude woods cabins. During that long, ruthless winter, the poorly equipped Americans suffered in many ways. Many did not have blankets and some were even barefoot. Hundreds died due to suffering from diseases such as influenza, typhus, typhoid fever, and dysentery. Washington begged Congress for assistance to no avail. Only hope carried these men through each day, but it was dwindling as winter progressed. The British now occupied Philadelphia, the capital of the colonial cause. Although the Continental Congress managed to escape, their capital was occupied and morale was low. Two new faces joined the Americans at this pivotal point, Baron von Steuben, and the Marquis de Lafayette, they would help to turn this dark time into better days for the Continental Army. Lafayette a young Frenchman of wealth stayed with Washington and his men in these horrendous conditions. He was Washington's right hand man and was a very positive force for the Continental Army even buying uniforms, muskets, and other supplies for the army with his own money. Barron von Steuben was a very stern drill instructor, his methods and tactics throughout the winter slowly turned this band of untrained soldiers into professionals who could stand in open battle with the British without retreat. As word arrived that the French were joining the American cause moral began to increase and the men realized what had seemed impossible had become realistic.

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