February 6, 1778 : The Franco-American Alliance

February 6, 1778 – France officially recognizes the independence of the United States. Britain responds by declaring war on its historic foe.

The Signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and of Alliance between France and the United States.

On February 6, 1778, France and the fledgling United States of America signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance in Paris, France.

The Treaty of Amity and Commerce recognized the United States as an independent nation and promoted trade between France and the United States.

The Treaty of Alliance created a military alliance against Great Britain, stipulating American independence as a condition of peace. The treaty also required France and the U.S. to concur in any peace agreement.

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Treaty of Alliance, Article Three, signed February 6, 1778, in Paris, France.

The two contracting Parties shall each on its own Part, and in the manner it may judge most proper, make all the efforts in its Power, against their common Enemy, in order to attain the end proposed.

France contributed

Secretly aiding the American colonies since 1776, France’s helpfulness was spurred by resentment over the loss of American territory to Britain in the French and Indian War.

In 1776, the Continental Congress sent diplomats Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee to secure a formal alliance with France. American victory over the British in the Battle of Saratoga convinced the French that the Americans were committed to independence and worthy partners to a formal alliance. Over the course of the war, France contributed an estimated 12,000 soldiers and 32,000 sailors to the American war effort.

The Netherlands and Spain later joined as allies of France; Britain had no European allies.

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