Question

What other nations helped the Patriot cause during the American Revolution?

Answer 1

Hint: The American colonists did not fight the Revolutionary War on their own to gain independence from Britain. They had allies who assisted them by supplying equipment, arms, military leaders, and soldiers. These allies were crucial in assisting the colonists in gaining independence.

Complete answer:
A variety of European countries aided the colonists in America. France, Spain, and the Netherlands were the main allies, with France providing the most assistance. The European nations supported the American colonies in their fight against Britain for a variety of reasons.
- France was the principal ally of the American colonies. At the start of the war, France aided the Continental Army by supplying supplies such as gunpowder, cannons, clothes, and shoes.
- During the Revolutionary War, the Spanish also sent supplies to the colonies. In 1779, they waged war on the United Kingdom, attacking British forts in Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi.
- Another partner was the Netherlands, which lent money to the US when declaring war on Britain. Other European countries, such as Russia, Norway, Denmark, and Portugal, were more passive in their support for the US against the UK.

They wanted to assist colonists for following reason –
The European nations supported the American colonies in their fight against Britain for a variety of reasons. The following are four of the most important reasons:
i) Common Enemy - Britain had risen to prominence as Europe's and the world's leading power. France and Spain, for example, saw Britain as an adversary. They were harming their enemy by assisting the Americans.
ii) Personal Gain - The allies hoped to reclaim some of the territories lost during the Seven Years' War and gain a major trading partner in the United States.
iii) Belief in Liberty - Some Europeans were inspired by the American struggle for freedom. They decided to assist in the liberation of the country from British control.
iv) Seven Years' War - In 1763, both France and Spain were defeated by Britain in the Seven Years' War. They decided to avenge themselves while also regaining some glory.

Note:
- During the war, Benjamin Franklin was the ambassador to France. His efforts to enlist French assistance had a major effect on the war's outcome.
- The war caused the French government to go into debt, which was later cited as one of the main causes of the French Revolution in 1789.
- During the war, Germany was the British's most important ally. The British recruited German mercenaries known as Hessians to battle the colonists on their behalf.