<P> During the American Revolutionary War ( American War of Independence ; 1775 -- 1783 ) , France recognized and allied itself with the United States in 1778 , declared war on Great Britain , and sent its armies and navy to fight Britain while providing money and matériel to arm the new republic . French intervention made a decisive contribution to the U.S. victory in the war . Motivated by a long - term rivalry with Britain and by revenge for its territorial losses during the French and Indian War , France began secretly sending supplies in 1775 . Spain and the Netherlands joined France , making it a global war in which the British had no major allies . France obtained its revenge , but materially it gained little and was left with over 1 billion livres in debts . </P>
<P> During the American Revolutionary War ( American War of Independence ; 1775 -- 1783 ) , France recognized and allied itself with the United States in 1778 , declared war on Great Britain , and sent its armies and navy to fight Britain while providing money and matériel to arm the new republic . French intervention made a decisive contribution to the U.S. victory in the war . Motivated by a long - term rivalry with Britain and by revenge for its territorial losses during the French and Indian War , France began secretly sending supplies in 1775 . Spain and the Netherlands joined France , making it a global war in which the British had no major allies . France obtained its revenge , but materially it gained little and was left with over 1 billion livres in debts . </P>
when did the french enter the american revolution
when did the french enter the american revolution
1778
1778