Page 65 - ASM Book 9/2020

France Recognized America as a Nation
1778
• FEBRUARY 6 - AMERICAN & FRENCH ACTION: Representatives signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliances that provided military supplies to the Continental Army and established trade between the two countries.
• FEBRUARY 23 - AMERICAN ACTION: Baron von Steuben of Prussia arrived at Valley Forge to join the Continental Army.
• MARCH 16 - BRITISH ACTION: Parliament sent a Peace Commission to Philadelphia to negotiate with Congress. The commissioners offered to grant all of Congress’ demands, except for independence. Congress rejected the peace terms.
• JUNE 18 - BRITISH ACTION: Fearing a blockade by French ships, British General Henry Clinton withdrew his troops from Philadelphia and marched across New Jersey toward New York City. AMERICAN ACTION: The Americans re-occupied Philadelphia.
• JUNE 19 - AMERICAN ACTION: Washington sent six brigades to intercept General Clinton’s forces.
• JUNE 27 and 28 - AMERICAN & BRITISH ACTION: American troops fought General Clinton’s forces to a standoff at the Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey.
• JULY 2 - AMERICAN ACTION: Congress returned to Philadelphia.
• AUGUST 8 - AMERICAN & FRENCH ACTION: An American land force and French ships attempted to conduct a combined siege against Newport, Rhode Island. Bad weather and delays of land troops resulted in failure.
• DECEMBER 29 - BRITISH ACTION: British forces started a major southern campaign by capturing Savannah, Georgia. A month later they captured Augusta, Georgia.
TWinning Partnership Formed
wo treaties signed between America and France on February 6, 1778, provided critical aid in America’s fight for independence. The Treaty of Amity and Commerce recognized the United States as an independent nation and established a commercial alliance between the two allies. The Treaty of Alliance provided valuable military supplies to the Continental Army.
France had secretly been furnishing assistance since 1775.
The French government was eager to help America against its old
enemy. The rivalry between France and England was centuries old, including France’s loss to the British during the French and Indian War.
Royal Standard of the King of France 1778
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The American victory at the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777
convinced French leaders that the Americans could defeat the Redcoats with French help. In fact, French soldiers and ships would provide the winning edge three years later when the British surrendered at Yorktown.