The Revolutionary War

Ben Franklin said "In 200 years, will people remember us as traitors or heroes?"

Alliances

Having broken from Great Britain, the colonists faced a daunting task in waging war against the most dominant power in the world. They needed help. With Great Britain being such a dominant force and controlling much of the world market in trade, they had numerous enemies. Enemies the American colonists sought to align with. Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, instrumental in the formation of the Declaration of Independence and representing at the Continental Congress, now began work as foreign ambassadors seeking assistance to the American colonies’ cause.

The colonists were outnumbered by the British. They lacked a professional army and the supplies to maintain what they could assemble as a fighting force. The colonies also could not afford the tremendous costs involved in waging war. Therefore it was important to establish relationships that could support the colonists and benefit from their rebellion against Great Britain and, hopefully, its independence as well. To find quick support, the colonies looked to Great Britain’s greatest enemy, France.

Benjamin Franklin, with the help of Thomas Jefferson, was able to gain support from the French early in the war. The aid of the French Navy, in the Caribbean, assisted the colonies by weakening the blockade of the American colonies. As such, the American colonies were able to receive supplies from one another and from foreign allies. The work Benjamin Franklin did in securing the alliance with France was finally realized after the Battle of Saratoga. Upon learning of this American victory in New York, France was confident to support the Americans and join them in fighting against the British. Because of this decision, the French Navy was able to support the Americans, help win the Battle of Yorktown, and ultimately end the American Revolutionary War.

John Adams also helped secure alliances with, not only the French, but also the Netherlands. Adams was able to secure support from the Netherlands during the war and financial loans at the war’s end. Later, Adams and Franklin would help to draw up the terms for the 1783 Treaty of Paris. As a result of their work, and the support of foreign allies, the American colonies won their independence against overwhelming odds and obstacles and gained formal recognition as an independent nation from our European allies.

Battles of the American Revolution

Click on each of the titles below to learn about four important battles in the American Revolution.

Timeline

Click on each of the blue circles below to learn the events of the American Revolution.

American Advantages in the Revolutionary War

Question Mark Icon

For each of the following battles, list ways in which geography, such as water and topography, played a role in American victory.

The Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Saratoga
The Battle of Yorktown

IMAGES CREATED BY GAVS