Non-Colonists in the American Revolution
Non-Colonists in the American Revolution
Non-Colonists in the American Revolution
During the American Revolution, the U.S. colonies fought against Britain to win independence. To some people in Europe, the revolution represented a fight between ideals. To them, America stood for the ideals of democracy, republicanism, and the Enlightenment. And these ideals were up against the idea of Europe’s existing order, which Britain represented. Some countries felt that watching that fight wasn't enough. So they joined the fight.
During the American Revolution, the U.S. colonies fought against Britain to win independence. To some people in Europe, the revolution represented a fight between ideals. To them, America stood for the ideals of democracy, republicanism, and the Enlightenment. And these ideals were up against the idea of Europe’s existing order, which Britain represented. Some countries felt that watching that fight wasn't enough. So they joined the fight.
France was one of the countries that joined the fight on America’s side. It was an ally of America. Without France’s help, the Americans might not have won the war. Benjamin Franklin was the person who helped get the French to support America. He traveled to France to explain the American cause, or the purpose of their fight. He was already popular in France because of his writing and scientific discoveries. So he was able to get French support for America’s cause.
France was one of the countries that joined the fight on America’s side. It was an ally of America. Without France’s help, the Americans might not have won the war. Benjamin Franklin was the person who helped get the French to support America. He traveled to France to explain the American cause, or the purpose of their fight. He was already popular in France because of his writing and scientific discoveries. So he was able to get French support for America’s cause.
The French supported the Americans for many reasons. One reason was that they wanted to weaken Britain. They felt that if Britain were weaker, France would have more power in Western Europe and around the world. Some French might have supported the Americans for a different reason. They had lost a war with Britain recently, and had to give land in North America to Britain. So some French might have wanted to get back at Britain.
The French supported the Americans for many reasons. One reason was that they wanted to weaken Britain. They felt that if Britain were weaker, France would have more power in Western Europe and around the world. Some French might have supported the Americans for a different reason. They had lost a war with Britain recently, and had to give land in North America to Britain. So some French might have wanted to get back at Britain.
At first, France supported the Americans only in secret. They hid money, weapons, and fighting supplies in ships and sent them to America. They also sent people to America to give advice to America’s army leaders about fighting strategies.
At first, France supported the Americans only in secret. They hid money, weapons, and fighting supplies in ships and sent them to America. They also sent people to America to give advice to America’s army leaders about fighting strategies.
Then, the American army won a battle against the British. Winning that battle gave people hope that America would win its independence. After that, in February 1778, France officially recognized the United States as its own country. France and the U.S. signed an alliance, which made France’s support official. After that, French soldiers and warships fought against the British. But that was not the only way France helped out. France also contributed, or gave, weapons and a huge amount of money to help the American cause.
Then, the American army won a battle against the British. Winning that battle gave people hope that America would win its independence. After that, in February 1778, France officially recognized the United States as its own country. France and the U.S. signed an alliance, which made France’s support official. After that, French soldiers and warships fought against the British. But that was not the only way France helped out. France also contributed, or gave, weapons and a huge amount of money to help the American cause.
Spain also supported the Americans. At first, Spain’s contribution was money and weapons, like France. But in 1779, Spain began contributing military support. Also like France, Spain’s navy was important in fighting the strong British navy. They helped fight battles on land and at sea in areas far away from North America.
Spain also supported the Americans. At first, Spain’s contribution was money and weapons, like France. But in 1779, Spain began contributing military support. Also like France, Spain’s navy was important in fighting the strong British navy. They helped fight battles on land and at sea in areas far away from North America.
French, Spanish, American, and British people were not the only people fighting in the American Revolution. In fact, a quarter of all soldiers fighting on the British side were actually from the area known as Germany today. These soldiers were known as Hessians. They were hired to fight for Britain. There were 30,000 of them in all.
French, Spanish, American, and British people were not the only people fighting in the American Revolution. In fact, a quarter of all soldiers fighting on the British side were actually from the area known as Germany today. These soldiers were known as Hessians. They were hired to fight for Britain. There were 30,000 of them in all.
Native Americans also fought in the American Revolution. Most of them fought for the British because they thought of the United States as a threat to their land. In total, about 13,000 Native Americans fought for the British. But other Native Americans fought against them. And so the war divided up some Native American groups. For instance, the Iroquois Confederacy, was a powerful group of Native American tribes that tried not to choose sides in the war. But when it was forced to choose a side, the tribes in the Confederacy could not agree. So they split up. Two tribes chose to fight for the Americans and four fought for the British.
Native Americans also fought in the American Revolution. Most of them fought for the British because they thought of the United States as a threat to their land. In total, about 13,000 Native Americans fought for the British. But other Native Americans fought against them. And so the war divided up some Native American groups. For instance, the Iroquois Confederacy, was a powerful group of Native American tribes that tried not to choose sides in the war. But when it was forced to choose a side, the tribes in the Confederacy could not agree. So they split up. Two tribes chose to fight for the Americans and four fought for the British.
Individuals from other nations joined the fight, too. For example, a Prussian named Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben held important roles in America’s army. He went on to be George Washington's chief of staff. He even wrote The Revolutionary War Drill Manual. That was the official American drill manual for the next forty years.
Individuals from other nations joined the fight, too. For example, a Prussian named Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben held important roles in America’s army. He went on to be George Washington's chief of staff. He even wrote The Revolutionary War Drill Manual. That was the official American drill manual for the next forty years.
Two men from Poland were also important fighters in the war. One of them was Tadeusz Kościuszko. He joined the American army and became a general. The other Polish man who fought for the American cause was Casimir Pulaski. He organized and trained the American army’s horsemen. For that reason, he has been called the “father of the American cavalry.” He also became a general, but he was killed in the war. Both Polish men joined the Americans because of the ideals they believed in. They believed in the fight for freedom and an independent government. They came to America to help defend freedom, and to live or die for it.
Two men from Poland were also important fighters in the war. One of them was Tadeusz Kościuszko. He joined the American army and became a general. The other Polish man who fought for the American cause was Casimir Pulaski. He organized and trained the American army’s horsemen. For that reason, he has been called the “father of the American cavalry.” He also became a general, but he was killed in the war. Both Polish men joined the Americans because of the ideals they believed in. They believed in the fight for freedom and an independent government. They came to America to help defend freedom, and to live or die for it.