Now you are at the statue of Lafayette and George Washington. You can see Lafayette and George Washington shaking hands with each other. They are with a French flag and an original American flag. They are standing next to each other. It says that France was helping America in the American Revolution. Look at the statue. It shows that’s why today France and America are friends.
Part 1: All About the French and American Friendship
In 1778, the British and American were fighting each other. British had a strong army with good training. But American did not. They didn't have suplase like guns,gunpowder and cannons.and they didn’t have uniforms,and shoes to keep them warm in winter. And they didn’t have even food too.They were dying of hunger and starving.But this changed when French started to help the American army. In the next part you will learn who helped them and how.
Part 2: The French Who Helped the American
King Louis XVI
Many French leaders helped Americans. First,king Louis XVI helped in 1776. He started secretly giving money and supplies to American. Then, on february 6, 1778, king Louis XVI of France signed the treaty that recognized the United States as a new nation. Then he gave many more supplies, such as clothes, uniforms, and shoes to stay warm in the winter. King Louis also sent guns and cannons.
Marquis de Lafayette
He paid his own money to come help America. In 1777 he fought in Continental army against British. He became general under George Washington and he became George Washington's friend.
De Grasse
He was French navy admiral and he did an important job in the battle of Yorktown. He stopped British warship from helping General Cornwallis. And he helped to set up the trap to surround Cornwallis and his army in the battle of Yorktown, the final battle for independence.
Rochambeau
He was French army commander and led 5000 soldiers sent to help american. In 1781, his army joined the George Washington army. And they marched at Yorktown. With De Grasse and his navy warships and George Wasington’s army, Rochambeau did surround british soldiers and General Cornwallis.
Part 3: The French and Americans versus The British
BOOM! Cannon fired around me. The ground was moving. Someone fired the gun and a redcoat falled down. Rochambeau yelled, “Bravo! Tres bien!” Then, he saw many warships in the water. They had French flags. In the water the British warship was gone. And someone walked up to George Washington and waved a white flag. “General Cornwallis surrenders,” he said.And George Washington shook hands with Rochambeau.
Part 4: The French and American Friendship is Strong
Do you know why France and American are friends? French and American friendship is strong because France recognized the United States as a new nation, because France sent important supplies to American armies to help fight against British, and France sent armies and navy soldiers to American in the final battle for independence.
The first reason American and French friendship is strong is because France recognized the United States as a new nation. In George vs George it says,”the French greatly admired the American cause.” This means France thought fighting for independence it's good thing. It also says,”on February 6, 1778, king Louis XVI of France signed the treaty that recognized the United States as a new nation.'' This is important because France was the first country to say the US was independent and it shows other countries and Britain that it is not a crazy idea.
The second reason French and American friendship is strong is because France sent important supplies to Americans. Before getting supplies it was hard for soldiers to live because they didn’t have shoes and uniforms and they were so hungry because there was not a lot of food and farmers gave food to British to get more money. This is important because that’s why thousands of soldiers died. The other soldiers were afraid and their mood down.
The last reason French and American friendship is strong is because France sent their armies and navy soldiers to American in the final battle for independence. In 1781 French sent 28 war ships to help American armies. Led by De Grasse, French armies and George Washington's men joined the French navy in the city of Yorktown Chesapeake bay. French helped George Washington set a trap to surround to British general Cornwallis. This is important because this is the final battle for independence. France was helping them gonna win..This is why French and American friendship is strong.
In conclusion, who knows France didn’t help, how did it end the war? Maybe the United States still belong to British and it can’t be America. French and American friendship is strong. because France recognized the United States as a new nation, because France sent important suplase to American and France sent their armies and navy soldiers in the final battle for independence.
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