<P> Motivated by the prospect of glory in battle or animated by the sincere ideals of liberty and republicanism, volunteers joined the American army such as Pierre Charles L'Enfant . The most famous was Lafayette, a charming young aristocrat who defied the king's order and enlisted in 1777 at age 19 . He became an aide to Washington and a combat general . More importantly, he solidified a favorable American view of France . Kramer argues that Lafayette provided a legitimacy for the war and confidence that there was serious European support for independence . Lafayette's personal style was highly attractive . The young man learned quickly, adapted to the Patriot style, avoided politics, and quickly became a friend of General Washington . Fifty years later, after a long career in French politics, he returned as a beloved war hero . </P> <P> France initially sent agents to observe the war, organised secret supplies, and began preparations for war against Britain in support of the rebels . Although France might seem an odd choice for the revolutionaries to deal with; the nation was ruled by an absolutist monarch who was not sympathetic to claims of' no taxation without representation', even if the plight of the colonists and their perceived fight against a domineering empire excited idealistic Frenchmen like the Marquis de Lafayette . France was also predominantly Catholic, and the colonies were Protestant; this was a major issue at the time and had coloured several centuries of foreign relations . </P> <P> But France was a colonial rival of Britain, and while arguably being Europe's most prestigious nation, France had suffered humiliating defeats against the British during the Seven Years' War - especially its American theatre, the French and Indian War - only years earlier . France was looking for any way to strengthen its own reputation whilst undermining Britain; helping the colonists gain independence looked like the ideal way to do so . The fact that some of the revolutionaries had fought France in the French - Indian war scant years earlier was expediently overlooked . In fact, the French Duc de Choiseul had outlined how France would restore their prestige from the Seven Years' War as early as 1765, saying the colonists would soon throw the British out, and then France and Spain would unite and fight Britain over naval dominance . </P> <P> Up against the British power, the young nation lacked arms and allies, and turned to France for help . France was not directly interested in the conflict, but saw it as an opportunity to contest British power by supporting a new British opponent . Through negotiations conducted first by Silas Deane and then Benjamin Franklin, France began covert support of the American cause . </P>

Why was the french government willing to support the patriots' cause during the revolutionary war
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