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The French played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. The typical American soldier was not trained in military tactics when he joined to fight. He was usually a farmer who wanted freedom from British rule, therefore he was willing to give his life for this freedom. There were only a handful of American soldiers experienced enough to train these volunteers, and they were desperately needed on the battlefield.

The enemy, under General Cornwallis, were well-trained, professional soldiers. Their expertise and tactics were far superior to those of American soldiers.

The French, under General Lafayette, were also experienced in battle, and tactics that were indispensable in the American effort. Lafayette appointed soldiers to train the American volunteers. The French worked them night and day, Lafayette included in the training, in order to insure their preparedness to fight against the professional British soldier.

Not only did the French train troops, they fought alongside the American army against the British. Most of us are familiar with the on-going dispute between the French and British, even today.

Were it not for the French, and I must mention the Hessians (German soldiers), the American Revolution might have taken a different turn.

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