The+war+Continues

=Help From Overseas= Marquis de Lafayette, filled with enthusiasm for the ideas expressed in the declaration of independance, Lafayette bought a ship and went to America. Other Europeans also volunteered to work for the patriot cause. Thaddeus Kosciusko an engineer and Casimir Pulaski a cavalry officer, contributed to the American efforts. Friedrich Von Steuben, a former army officer from germany, also came to help washington. Von Steuben drilled the patriots troops at valley Forge, teaching them miliary drills. Juan De Miralles arrived in philadelphia in 1778 as a representative of spain. At his urging, Spain, Cuba, and Mexico sent financial aid to the colonies. Miralles befriended many patriot leaders and lent money to the cause.

In October 1777, the victory of Saratoga boosted American spirits. By late 1777 Benjamin Franklin went to Paris for a year to get the French to support the Americans' fight for independence. Because his great skills and charm, he increased the number f many friends for the United States. French gave money secretly, had not committed an alliance. Feb. 1778 French and Americans worked out an alliance. French declared war against British and sent money, equipment, and soildiers to help the American patriots. Other European nations helped the Americans, simply because they hated the British. Spain didn't realize American independence until after the Revolution. Spain declared war the British in 1779. The Revolutionary War of freedom and liberty inspired some of the white Americans to think about slavery. Religious goups and other groups had voted to end slavery. In 1778 governor William Livingston of New Jersey asked the legistlature to free all enslaved people in the state. Utterly in consistent with the principles of christianity and humanity ,Livingston said. Afican Americans made similar arguments.
 * ** GAINING ALLIES- FRANCE AND SPAIN **
 * ** HOPES FOR EQUALITY **