The French were Essential

The French played a very significant role in helping aid the Americans to defeat Britain in the American Revolution. The French’s naval ships won the Revolution for the Americans. Before 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 root for the British if the army needed help.

The last significant battle of the American Revolution was the battle of Yorktown. The British commander 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 Washington and his men were heading to New York when really he was taking him men to surround the British commander, Cornwallis in Yorktown. Furthermore, Washington had learned that Ben Franklin had been in France trying to convince the King to aid the Americans in battle. After the American victory at Saratoga, the French agreed to help Washington. So with the aid of General Rochambeau and his Frenchmen as well as the navy they advanced to Yorktown. The French Navy had control of the Chesapeake Bay preventing the British ships from helping aid the British. 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. This continual attack wore out the British. Soon the British ran out of supplies (gun powder and cannon balls) and were forced to surrender.

This military tactic is still used today. 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.

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 large 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.

Furthermore, at the British surrender the generals second in command tried to give a sword to the French’s’ general. 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 there navy ships.