250 years of US independence: Why France chose to support the American Revolutionaries
Key takeaways
- French support for the American Revolution began well before the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
- As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, FRANCE 24 looks back at France’s decisive – and often overlooked – role in the American Revolutionary War.
- Behind the independence project, lies another story: that of a long-standing rivalry between Great Britain and France, the two great European powers at the time.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
French support for the American Revolution began well before the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. King Louis XVI saw the rebellion in North America as an opportunity to weaken his British rival and avenge past defeats. FRANCE 24 looks back at how European colonial rivalry and Enlightenment ideals forged a decisive alliance between the nascent United States and its "oldest ally".
By: Barbara GABEL The 1776 Declaration of Independence, Louis XVI, and the Enlightenment all provided the basis of French support for the American insurgents. © France Médias Monde graphic studio On July 4, 1776, 13 British colonies in North America broke with the British Crown and declared their independence, in a momentous act of rebellion that would change the course of history. As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, FRANCE 24 looks back at France’s decisive – and often overlooked – role in the American Revolutionary War.
Behind the independence project, lies another story: that of a long-standing rivalry between Great Britain and France, the two great European powers at the time. When the Thirteen Colonies proclaimed their independence, they were still a long way from winning the war. Across the Atlantic, France watched the brewing rebellion with increasing interest.