Alliances in the American Revolution
The Continental Army didn't fight the war alone: they received information, supplies, and men from allies across the globe. France offered its navy, Spain fought in the southern colonies, and different Native American groups assisted battalions, hoping their alliances would help preserve land and resources in the future. Scroll to learn more about these alliances, and how they changed the outcome of the war.
Rochambeau
The King of France sent Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, along with 5,500 troops, to the North American colonies to aid the Continental Army.
Learn more about Rochambeau
The Oneida
The Onedia aided the Continental Army after initially declaring neutrality. They provided troops and spies throughout the Revolution and became an essential part of Continental operations.
Learn about the Oneida
Gardoqui
Diego María de Gardoqui y Arriquíbar oversaw Spain's financial and material support of American colonies during the Revolutionary War. He supplied the Continental troops with gunpowder, weapons, and troops as the war continued in the colonies.
Learn more about GardoquiThe War Begins
The Revolutionary War began with the battles of Lexington and Concord, known as the "shot heard 'round the world." The British were expected to have a quick victory but lost more men and equipment than expected.
Dutch merchants began to supply Continental troops with weapons and supplies, despite the Netherlands' friendship with Great Britain.
Continental Army Muster Rolls
These lists of soldiers help determine who fought in the war, often including indigenous and enslaved peoples who joined the Continental Army.
The Treaty of Aranjuez
Spain officially became an ally of the United States and France after signing this treaty in 1779. They helped the Continental troops primarily in the southern colonies with men, supplies, and information.
The French at Yorktown
This map was created by a French mapmaker, showing how France contributed to the Battle of Yorktown. The problem? The mapmaker had never been to North America, and had never seen the battle.
Available Resources
Interested in researching these alliances? Explore these sources!
- Continental Army Muster Roll
- French Map: The Battle of Monmouth
- Lafayette's Letter to Canada
- The Siege of Savannah
- The Marquis de Lafayette to George Washington, 1781
- French Map: Battle of Yorktown
- Video: Now or Never, the Battle of Yorktown
- Yorktown Articles of Capitulation (Surrender)
- The Marquis de Lafayette's Portrait
- Timeline: US Policy with Indian Nations
- Native Americans
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