Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that the revolutionary forces during the American War of Independence received substantial aid from many European states and that one of the largest contributors of aid was France. This paper discusses how important the French role was in the rebel victory. It does this through analyzing the French contribution to the victory at Yorktown, the French logistical and financial contributions to the rebel forces and the strategic implications of France's entry into the war in 1780. Through this research it is found that the French contribution to the rebel war effort was fundamental to its ultimate victory over British forces. The writer concludes that that the French aid to the revolutionary forces was decisive in the Rebel victory over the British.

From the Paper:

"The American War of Independence officially ended in 1783 with the revolutionary forces under Washington taking the victory. However, the war was not entirely won by Washington and his forces. Indeed, the revolutionary forces had aid from a number of European states. The most critical of this aid came from France, both before and after it officially entered the war. How important was this French intervention in the struggle of the American colonies against Britain? This paper will argue that French aid to the revolutionary forces was decisive in the Rebel victory over the British. This will be done through looking at three key aspects of French aid during the war: Firstly, the decisiveness of the 1781 battle of Yorktown and the degree to which that victory was owing to the French military forces. Secondly, the financial and logistical assistance given by France to the Rebel forces, and the effects thereof. Lastly, the strategic implications for the British of the French entry into the war in 1780."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Allison T., Grey J. and Valentine J. American Military History: A Survey from Colonial Times to the Present, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, 2006.
• Bee R. 'de Grasse to the Rescue at Yorktown', American History, 2006, vol. 41, iss. 5, pp. 30-37.
• Dull J. 'Diplomacy of the Revolution, to 1783', in (eds.) Greene J. and Pole J. A Companion to the American Revolution, Blackwell Publishing, Cornwall, 2004, pp. 352-362.
• Eccles W. 'The French Alliance and the American Victory', in (ed.) Ferling J. The World Turned Upside Down: The American Victory in the War of Independence, Greenwood Press, Connecticut, 1988, pp. 147-164.
• Edgar W. Partisans and Redcoats: The Southern Conflict that Turned the Tide of the American Revolution, William Morrow, New York, 2001.

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