How does benjamin franklin anticipate the alliance with france will help the nited states

frances participation will persuade britain to surrender
britains forces will be bogged down fighting a war in europe
britain will need to fight on too many fronts in north america
spain and other nations will decide to help the united states too

1 answer

Benjamin Franklin anticipated that the alliance with France would greatly benefit the United States in several ways:

1. Persuading Britain to Surrender: Franklin believed that France's participation in the war would exert significant pressure on Britain, ultimately persuading them to surrender. This belief was based on the fact that France was a powerful European nation with a strong military and could provide additional resources and support to the American cause.

2. Diverting British Forces: Franklin expected that with France entering the war, Britain's forces would be spread thin, as they would have to fight a war in Europe against France and other European powers. This diversion of British forces would weaken their military presence in North America, giving the United States an advantage in their fight for independence.

3. Creating Multiple Fronts: With the involvement of France, Franklin foresaw that Britain would be forced to fight on multiple fronts, both in Europe and North America. This would place a significant strain on Britain's resources and military capabilities, potentially decreasing their effectiveness in suppressing the American rebellion.

4. Encouraging Support from Other Nations: Franklin also believed that France's alliance would inspire other nations, such as Spain, to join the United States in their fight against Britain. The involvement of multiple nations would further increase the pressure on Britain and bolster the American cause by providing additional resources and manpower.

Overall, Franklin saw the alliance with France as a crucial step in strengthening the American position and ultimately securing independence from Britain.
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