Exam Essay; Thanks French

The French should receive more recognition for their invaluable help in the defeat of the British during the American Revolution. The French’s naval ships won the Revolution for the Americans. Before the French entered the war, the seas were controlled by the British, giving them a huge advantage over the Americans. The British ships provided supplies for the British as well as an escape route for the British if the army needed help.

In 1763, the French were defeated by the British in what is known as the Seven Years War. Even before the French and their fleet entered the American Revolution they were sending money and supplies secretly to the American colonies. Furthermore, with Ben Franklin's' persuasions and Washington's victory at the battle of Saratoga the French finally decided to enter the war as allies with the Americans. In February of 1778 The Treaty of Alliance with France was signed and money and supplies started to come into America.

Many battles were fought during the Revolution without France's help although the last significant battle of the American Revolution was the battle of Yorktown. With the aid from the French and their ships the Americans were able to be victorious. The British commander, Cornwallis had taken his men to Yorktown because it was easy to gain supplies from his ships because water surrounded three sides of their land location. Washington tricked the British ships and another British army making them think that the colonial army was heading to New York when really Washington was taking his men to surround the British commander, Cornwallis in Yorktown.

The Navel battle known as the Battle of Chesapeake, took place on September 5, 1781. This naval battle was between Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Graves, the captain of the British fleet composed of 19 ships and the French fleet composed of 24 ships, led by Rear-Admiral Comte de Grasse. The French fleet coming from the West Indies arrived at the Chesapeake Bay first, giving them a positional advantage. This also prevented the resupplyment of troops and supplies to the British land armies. The French and British fighting against the wind, fought against each other side by side. Some of the British ships were leaking badly and the miscommunication between Graves and his ships allowed the French's naval fleet to be victorious.

(http://xenophongroup.com/mcjoynt/marine.htm)
On land, Washington and his 1600 men dug trenches for protection against British cannon fire and bullets. In 12 hours Washington and his men had fired about 3600 cannons. With the aid of the French general Rochambeau and his men, this continual attack wore out the British. Since the French had prevented Cornwallis and his troops from getting supplies (gun powder and cannon balls) eventually the British were forced to surrender.

Today, this military tactic is known as "shock and awe". In the Iraq war, the United States bombed Iraq continually for a long period of time. This constant attack caused the Iraq people to become less passionate about fighting against a large super power, such as the United States. "Limited bombing began on 19 March 2003 as United States forces unsuccessfully attempted to kill Saddam Hussein. Attacks continued against a small number of targets until 21 March 2003, when at 1700 UTC the main bombing campaign of the Coalition began. Its forces launched approximately 1700 air sorties (504 using cruise missiles)." (Shock and awe, Wikipedia)

The French’s navy led to the American victory. The French provided money, clothes, troops, weaponry, and most importantly ships. The French not only aided with money but they also agreed to help at the perfect time. The year before this battle, Washington’s army suffered many deaths from disease, the men were getting tired of running/fighting and their year for serving in the army was almost over. The men were in a depressed state with little hope. The French’s alliance encouraged the Americans and gave them the support and assistance that they needed to finally defeat the British. Furthermore, at the British surrender, Cornwallis' second in command Henry Clinton, tried to give a sword to the French general, Rochambeau . By taking this action the British were saying that Washington and his men had not defeated him but the French had with their land army as well as their navy ships. The Americans did not produce the arms or the gunpowder needed to fight against the British. Before the French entered the war Britain was defeating the Americans, and was controlling the seas. This gave the British an escape route if they needed. Once the French agreed to help aid the Americans the Americans were relieved. They now had the courage, strength, supplies, and troops which they had lost due to disease and the brutal winter.

Without the French our way of life today, may not have existed.