The Franco-American Treaties (Feb. 1778)

Two Treaties.

The Treaty of Alliance

Declared Objective:

To maintain the liberty, sovereignty, and independence of the United States.

No Seperate Peace

Neither country would conclude a peace treaty with Britain without the consent of the other.

Territorial Arrangements

The U.S. gets Canada and Bermuda, while the French get the Virgin Islands.

Future Defense

Treaty of Amity and Commerce

Granted privileges to American Traders. Very generous of the French. France was the only nation willing to recognize America as a state.

Contraband

Reduction of contraband lists. Allowed to cary goods between belligerent countries.

Free Ships, Free Goods

Neutral America may cary non-contraband goods between belligerent states.

Most-favored-nation status.

<Lord North, British Prime Minister, proposed conciliatory Bill to Parliament, which it approved, granting home rule to the American Colonies in February. The British offer allowed self-government but not independence. The Americans would probably have accepted this offer if the French had not made such generous treaties>

<The French spent 12 billion livres on the American War. The war ruined the French economy, increasing French taxes, which precipitated the French Revolution>

Back.

Next.

Back.to the Main Diplomatic History Page.