<P> The French objective in assisting the Americans was to weaken Britain and to seek revenge for the defeat in the Seven Years ' War . In 1777 , America captured the British invasion army at Saratoga . In 1778 , France recognized the United States of America as a sovereign nation , signed a military alliance , and went to war with Britain . France built coalitions with the Netherlands and Spain , provided Americans with grants , weapons and loans , sent a combat army to serve under George Washington , and provided a navy that prevented the second British army from escaping Yorktown in 1781 . </P>
why did france help the colonists fight in the american revolution
to weaken Britain to seek revenge for the defeat in the Seven Years ' War