France in the War of France in the War of American IndependenceAmerican Independence

Dr. Philip P. BoucherDr. Philip P. BoucherDistinguished Professor of Distinguished Professor of

History, emeritusHistory, emeritusUniversity of Alabama in University of Alabama in

HuntsvilleHuntsville

IntroductionIntroduction

Why did the French monarchy give Why did the French monarchy give substantial aid to Americans substantial aid to Americans rebelling against their legitimate rebelling against their legitimate King?King?

• Traditional hatred of the EnglishTraditional hatred of the English• Sympathy with the ideals of the rebelsSympathy with the ideals of the rebels

BackgroundBackground Brief history of French and English Brief history of French and English

conflicts conflicts • Hundred Years War (1327-1453)Hundred Years War (1327-1453)• Nine Years War (1689-1697), called King Nine Years War (1689-1697), called King

William’s War in AmericaWilliam’s War in America• War of the Spanish Succession (1702-War of the Spanish Succession (1702-

1713), called Queen Anne’s War1713), called Queen Anne’s War• War of the Austrian Succession (1744-War of the Austrian Succession (1744-

1748), called King George’s War1748), called King George’s War• Seven Years War (1756-1763), called Seven Years War (1756-1763), called

the French and Indian Warthe French and Indian War

French claimed territory in America by 1700.

Consequences of the Seven Years WarConsequences of the Seven Years War

France lost all its possessions in France lost all its possessions in continental North Americacontinental North America

Britain gained lands east of the Britain gained lands east of the MississippiMississippi

Spain gained land west of the Spain gained land west of the MississippiMississippi

France retained a significant presence in France retained a significant presence in the Caribbean (Martinique, Guadeloupe, the Caribbean (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Domingue, currently Haiti)Saint Domingue, currently Haiti)

North America in 1763 after the Treaty of Paris

Louis XV, 1715-1774

George III

France contemplates revenge against France contemplates revenge against the Britishthe British

Choiseul and rebuilding the French Choiseul and rebuilding the French NavyNavy

Choiseul sends spies to North Choiseul sends spies to North America America

Vergennes persuades Louis XVI to Vergennes persuades Louis XVI to consider assistance to the Americansconsider assistance to the Americans

The Beaumarchais affairThe Beaumarchais affair

Statue of Beaumarchais in Paris

The Duc de Vergennes

From the Declaration of From the Declaration of Independence to SaratogaIndependence to Saratoga

Silas Deane in the summer of 1776Silas Deane in the summer of 1776 French volunteers stream to AmericaFrench volunteers stream to America The Marquis de LafayetteThe Marquis de Lafayette The disaster at Long IslandThe disaster at Long Island The arrival of Benjamin Franklin at The arrival of Benjamin Franklin at

the French Courtthe French Court French public opinion supportive of French public opinion supportive of

the American rebellion the American rebellion

Marquis de Lafayette, hero of the Revolution

General George Washington

Ambassador to France, Benjamin Franklin being received at the French Court, 1777.

Palace of Versailles in France

From Saratoga to the arrival of the From Saratoga to the arrival of the Comte RochambeauComte Rochambeau

Saratoga and the Franco-American Treaty Saratoga and the Franco-American Treaty of 1778of 1778

After initial enthusiasm, a series of After initial enthusiasm, a series of disappointments (d’Estaing’s cruise and disappointments (d’Estaing’s cruise and the failed siege of Charleston, 1779)the failed siege of Charleston, 1779)

Desperate years for George Washington Desperate years for George Washington and the Continental Army, 1778-1780and the Continental Army, 1778-1780

Rochambeau to the rescue (the crucial Rochambeau to the rescue (the crucial role of Lafayette)role of Lafayette)

The poor judgment of the British Generals, The poor judgment of the British Generals, especially Sir Henry Clintonespecially Sir Henry Clinton

Louis XVI and his Ministers plan the war campaign.

Comte d’Estaing

Comte de Rochambeau

Comte de Lauzun’s soldiers in costume.

The Miracle at YorktownThe Miracle at Yorktown Louis XVI and Vergennes’ desperate Louis XVI and Vergennes’ desperate

gamblegamble The Comte de Grasse dispatched to The Comte de Grasse dispatched to

AmericaAmerica De Grasse, Washington, and Rochambeau De Grasse, Washington, and Rochambeau

conceive a planconceive a plan Spanish support of de Grasse’s fleetSpanish support of de Grasse’s fleet General Cornwallis obliges the alliesGeneral Cornwallis obliges the allies The siege of Yorktown and the surrender The siege of Yorktown and the surrender

of Cornwallisof Cornwallis

Comte de Grasse

Admiral Barras

Washington, Rochambeau and Lafayette at Yorktown.

Thank you General Cornwallis!

Surrender at Yorktown, 1781

Treaty of Paris, 1783Treaty of Paris, 1783

British pride rescued at the Battle of British pride rescued at the Battle of the Saintsthe Saints

The triumphal procession of the The triumphal procession of the French Army on their way back to French Army on their way back to FranceFrance

Negotiations, 1782-1783Negotiations, 1782-1783 Chief provisions of the Treaty of ParisChief provisions of the Treaty of Paris

“The World Turned Upside Down” Treaty of Paris, 1783