1. Help Wanted: How other countries helped the American Colonists win Independence

2. Colonies send for help Continental Congress sent three “commissioners” to France. –Ben Franklin, Silas Deane, Arthur Lee The mission: get help from other countries –To break through the British blockade –To gather supplies for the army –To convince other countries to declare war on Great Britain

3. Help from France French King Louis XVI, hated Gr. Britain. Before battle of Saratoga, French citizens gave money to Franklin to give to USA. After victory at Saratoga, France was more willing to help the USA. 1778 France declared war on Gr. Britain and announced trade alliance w/US. Sent troops, navy ships, and supplies.

4. Help from France, con’t French nobleman, Marquis de Lafayette, believed in the ideals stated in Dec. of Ind. Purchased a ship and outfitted a private army. Joined G. Washington and became a trusted officer in the Continental Army. Was a hero in America and France.

5. Help from Spain Spanish King Carlos III, hated Great Britain. Wanted to control British areas of the Mediterranean, Florida, & central America. Collected taxes from Spanish colonies; sent money secretly to the USA. Declared war on Britain in 1779.

6. Help from Spain, con’t Governor of LA, Bernardo de Galvez, sent guns and supplies to Continental Army. Led a Spanish army against British forts along the Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast to FL. Protected the13 colonies from a British invasion from the Gulf of Mexico.

7. Help from Holland Holland wanted to increase its trade with the Americas. –allowed war material to be transported to St. Eustatius (island in the Caribbean) Holland loaned money to the Continental Congress. Declared war on the British in 1780.

8. Help from others… In 1778, Prussian officer, Friedrich von Steuben, joined the Continental Army –improved health and sanitation conditions at Valley Forge, PA –trained the US army to fight using Europeans tactics

9. Polish officers joined the Continental Army. –Thaddeus Kosciuszko, engineer, helped design and build forts –Casimir Pulaski, cavalry officer, helped train and lead cavalry units Help from others…

10. Help Received: Other countries helped the 13 Colonies become the United States of America.