1778 Treaty of Alliance

The Treaty of Alliance of 1778 was a military alliance between the United States and France during the American Revolutionary War. The treaty was signed on February 6, 1778, and was the first formal alliance between the United States and a foreign power.

The treaty was the result of several months of secret negotiations between the United States and France. The French government, which had long been unhappy with British dominance in Europe, saw an opportunity to weaken Britain by supporting the American colonies in their rebellion against British rule.

Under the terms of the treaty, France agreed to provide the United States with military and financial assistance in their struggle for independence. The treaty also established a defensive alliance between the two countries, in which each pledged to aid the other in the event of an attack by a third party.

The treaty was a significant turning point in the Revolutionary War, as it provided the United States with a powerful ally and helped to shift the balance of power in the colonies' favor. French assistance, which included troops, ships, and financial aid, proved critical in the American victory at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781.

The Treaty of Alliance also had international implications. It marked the entry of France into the war and strengthened the alliance between France and Spain, which had been formed in 1779. This was a major blow to Britain, and the war in America became part of a global war.