Episode 31: France enters War – with Nancy Bristow

French involvement in the American Revolutionary War of 1775–1783 began in 1776 when the Kingdom of France secretly shipped supplies to the Continental Army of the Thirteen Colonies upon its establishment in June 1775. The outcome of the Battles of Saratoga showed the United States could be successful.  With that outcome, France aligned with the colonists to join the fight. The French people needed to be convinced this alliance was a good thing, and American hesitantly embraced some aspects of French culture.

The impact is reflective of the many different cultural forces that help shape American culture as new immigrant groups make The United States a nation of immigrants. This is also seen on Vashon as different cultural groups come to the island bringing with them attitudes and cultural practices that help create the Vashon Island we know today.