American Revolution: The Real Winners and Losers
Are Americans the true victors of the American Revolutionary war?
What about the influence the French made helping the Americans fight? The French had previously lost to the British in the 7 Years War; do you think their anger, and on-going battles with the British could be a reason the Americans had such a good chance of winning this war?
Help from France at the Battle of Saratoga, The treaties signed between the French and Americans, and the financial and naval help received from the French are the different factors that go into whether or not the French get enough credit for the work they put into helping the Americans fight off the British.
France was determined to get back at Great Britain after their brutal loss in the French and Indian War. In 1774 Americans even asked the French for assistance, but the French Foreign Minister decided it was too early to get involved.
In 1775 the French sent a secret agent to Philadelphia to meet with Continental Congress. In order for the French to help the Americans the French said they first must declare their independence. READ THAT AGAIN!!
It was the French who started the Declaration of Independence!
France told the colonists they must show they were able to defend themselves against the British Army. But with a few million people to 40,000 British soldiers, the soon-to-be US of A, was not going to be steamrolled by a thin, albeit well trained, number of Red Coats.
In 1776 the French began sending over military supplies and financial aid to the Americans. They shipped nearly 300,000 pounds of gunpowder, 30,000 muskets, 3,000 tents, more then 200 pieces of artillery, and clothing for 30,000 soldiers.
It was the French who made it even plausible for the U.S. to win!
Imagine the untrained U.S. soldiers with limited weapons, no uniforms, and no where to rest on those cold nights.
In 1777 aristocrats like Marquis de Lafayette and many others from France came to America to volunteer as soldiers under George Washington’s Continental Army to fight off the British. People of Paris found out about the American victory of the battle of Saratoga over British General Burgoyne, which was the resulting decision in signing a treaty with America.
February 6, 1778 France and America signed the “Treaty of Alliance” and “Amity and Commerce.”
When the French declared war against Britain, everything changed. The British went from fighting a rebellion to a world war.
The Continental Congress used a brilliant strategy called by almost no one "Let the French intercept British vessels, so we don't have to." The strategy to use French armed forces, especially naval forces to take down the high-level British on land and at sea. The French navy cut the Brits off from being able to receive naval supplies and complete evacuation to New York.
It was the French who put the stranglehold on the Brits! Not George Washington. Not John Adams. Not Mel Gibson.
The British were forced to surrender at Yorktown in 1781.
America had gained their independence.
The campaign would not have been successful without help from France, and it's proxy war with the British on American soil. You see, the American Revolution was just a pawn in a much larger game between the two European rivals.
The War ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783. (That's Paris, France. Not Paris, Kentucky. Not Paris, Tennessee).
The result of the war wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for the help from France at the Battle of Saratoga, treaties signed between the French and Americans, and the financial and naval help Americans received.
Yet, we were taught it was the resilience of the colonists. The guerrilla tactics of the untrained soldiers. The bravery of and leadership of George Washington. The genius strategies of our founders that allowed the U.S. to defeat the evil empire across the pond.
While some of it is true, our patriotism has distorted the way we understand these events. Many Americans think of the French as being weak (let's not forget this google easter egg). We've been taught through school, through media, through politicians that the French have it all wrong. When they have a longer life expectancy, non-tuition based college, healthcare for everyone. Oh, and so do the British.
Well, maybe the French were the real enemies after all.
It's the French who are responsible for that day off work in July!
But also the reason we don't have the same benefits as a British citizen. The poorest people in Great Britain still have a longer life expectancy than the wealthier people of America.
But, no one wants to live forever right?
"Everything in moderation...including life."-Louis C.K.Nathan Hale, an American spy was put to death by the British. His final haunting words, "My only regret, is that I have but one life to give for my country."
Thanks to the French we can have our lives cut short as well all in the name of FREEDOM!!
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