France formed the first formal alliance with the United States during the Revolutionary War.
The Franco-American Alliance was signed on February 6, 1778, through two treaties: the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance. France recognized the United States as an independent nation and agreed to cooperate against Great Britain.
French assistance included money, weapons, military supplies, naval support, and troops. French naval intervention was especially important during the Yorktown campaign in 1781, when allied forces helped force the British surrender that led to peace negotiations.
France’s support had strategic motives as well as ideological ones. French leaders sought to weaken Britain after the Seven Years’ War. Spain later entered the conflict against Britain, but it did not sign the first formal alliance with the United States.