Foreign Involvment Flashcards
1
Q
Why did France enter the war ?
A
- King Louis XVI gov realised the war offered opportunity to avenge losses from the seven years war
- Saratoga ended French fears of an American collapse however its government apparently was ready for war but it was waiting for its naval preparations to be completed
- Saratoga confirmed any doubts to be wrong
2
Q
What was the nature of Frances involvement ?
A
- ready to supply Americans with gunpowder and arms and encouraged its army officers to place themselves at Americans disposal (Marquis de Lafayette)
- Louis XVI withheld formal recognition of independent America while the outcome of the war was still in doubt
- February 1778 France and America signed treaties eee both countries promised to wage war until American was independent
3
Q
What was the impact of Frances involvement ?
A
- Spain joined the war in April 1779 as ally of France
- Main concern was now France with its 150k strong army
- 1782 Britain had an army officers 150k Royal Navy of 100,000 sailors and 600 ships (national war effort in Britain as a result of French involvement)
- Britain could not devote all to America British army in America 29% in mid 1780 compared to 65% in 1778
4
Q
Why did Spain get involved ?
A
- Joined the war as an ally of France
- Joined the war to regain possessions lost to Britain such as Florida and Minorca
5
Q
What was the nature of Spains entry to the war ?
A
It was an ally of France not America
6
Q
What was the impact of Spains entry to the war ?
A
-1780 declared war on the Netherlands
- diverted Britian force to Gibraltar, Minorca and possessions in Africa, India and the West Indies
