In 1778, an important milestone was achieved for the United States as it formally allied with France, signing the Treaty of Alliance and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce. Negotiated primarily by representatives Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee, the treaties established a mutual commitment between the two nations. France had been clandestinely supporting the American Revolution, providing supplies and military assistance prior to the formal treaties. As the war progressed, the French sought to curtail British colonial power, making the American cause appealing in their struggle for dominance.The Treaty of Alliance stipulated that both France and the United States would support each other in the fight against Great Britain, ensuring military cooperation and promising that neither party would negotiate a separate peace with the British. Meanwhile, the Treaty of Amity and Commerce opened up trade relations, whereby both nations promised to offer favorable treatment to each other's merchants. This partnership not only bolstered the American Revolution but also significantly shifted the balance of power in the world, illustratively demonstrating the interdependence of revolutionary movements and global politics.By the end of the negotiations, the U.S. obtained not only military and financial support from France but also boosted their own legitimacy on the international stage. The treaties laid the groundwork for France's participation in the war and ultimately contributed to the American victory in the Revolution, paving the way for the United States as a sovereign nation.