<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling . You can assist by editing it . (October 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling . You can assist by editing it . (October 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> During the American Revolutionary War (American War of Independence; 1775--1783), France recognized and allied itself with the United States in 1778, declared war on Great Britain, and sent its armies and navy to fight Britain while providing money and matériel to arm the new republic . French intervention made a decisive contribution to the U.S. victory in the war . Motivated by a long - term rivalry with Britain and by revenge for its territorial losses during the French and Indian War, France began secretly sending supplies in 1775 . Spain and the Netherlands joined France, making it a global war in which the British had no major allies . France obtained its revenge, but materially it gained little and was left with over 1 billion livres in debts . </P> <P> After its defeat in the Seven Years' War in 1763, France lost its vast holdings in North America and wanted revenge . Meanwhile, the American colonists and the British government began to fight over whether Parliament in London, or the colonial assemblies had primary responsibility for taxation . The ideological conflict escalated into open warfare in 1775, at which point the American patriots took control of each of the 13 colonies away from Royal officials . The British refused to consider independence . The French, which had been rebuilding their Navy and other forces, now saw an opportunity to seriously weaken its perennial enemy . </P>

When did the french enter the american revolution