Many people helped the Americans win the Revolutionary War. Some of these people were not even American, one of them was Marquis De Lafayette, a French aristocrat who joined the Revolutionary War on his own request (The Marquis 1). Lafayette played a big part in getting France to agree to ally with the Americans, was one of the most successful leaders in combat for the American Revolutionary War, and one of George Washington 's most trusted friends.
Marquis De Lafayette was born September 6, 1757, in Chavaniac, France, into a family of noble military lineage (Marquis De 1). His birth name was Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roche Gilbert du Motier (The Marquis 1). Before Lafayette was two, his father died in a battle. When Lafayette was twelve, his mother died. Not long after his grandfather died. Because of this, he inherited a large fortune, making him a very wealthy orphan at a young age. When he was 14 he joined the Royal Army and when he was
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He sailed to America in 1777, and was welcomed by the leaders. On July 31, Congress commissioned him a Major General in the Continental Army. Lafayette was chosen to be a Major General because he was the highest rank of French nobility, and because they saw that his motives were very patriotic for the American cause. Later that summer Lafayette met George Washington. They developed a close friendship.
Lafayette’s first major battle with the American forces was the September 1777 Battle of Brandywine. Even though Lafayette performed very well in this battle and showed great courage, it was in this battle that Lafayette wounded his leg. He stayed strong and helped organize the retreat. Washington requested doctors to take special care of Lafayette. With the doctors help, he was ready to fight again in August (Marquis De 1). When Washington helped Lafayette recover faster, it deepened their friendship even