How did a small number of American colonists with very limited means beat the large British empire? They did not do it alone. One of the Patriots’ most urgent goals was to gain foreign aid and form alliances with other countries. They succeeded through propaganda, diplomacy, and treaties.
Propaganda has helped win many wars. The Continental Congress established the Secret Committee of Correspondence to publicize the American cause in Europe. Over a period of two years from 1775 until 1777 it sent propaganda to its allies in Europe. The purpose of these letters was to explain to the Europeans why the colonists were doing what they were doing, what they were doing, and that others should support their cause. Benjamin Franklin was one of the more popular writers of this propaganda. He wrote to influential people in France because he knew that the French were upset at having lost the Seven Years’ War with England. They had lost territory in the Americas during the French Indian War and had a reason for wanting to take revenge on England.
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He was very popular among the French. At first the French only provided hidden support through American traders. After the colonies declared their independence in 1776, they provided a secret loan, but refused to sign a treaty because George Washington had lost so badly in New York. Yet, it was very important to have alliances such as the Indians, Spanish, or the French because the American Colonies had declared their independence and entered into a war with England and the more countries approved their cause and supported them the better chance they had of overpowering their enemy. Through these alliances, the Patriots hoped to receive money, soldiers, training for their army, generals, horses, food, clothing, artillery, and much