Role of Outside Powers

in the Revolutionary War

Loyalists/Tories»Not supportive of the Articles of Confederation or the Continental Congress

»Opposed to patriots and actively supported the British»Money, shelter, information

Native Americans»Generally sided with the British

»Proclamation of 1763 reserved land for the Indians would limit colonial expansion

»Joseph Brandt

France»Ancient enemy of England»Lent the colonists ships, guns

and money»Ben Franklin and John Adams

became Congressional envoys to France

»Marquis de Lafayette and Saratoga

Others»Spain – sent the colonist ships and guns

»Prussia – Von Steuben helped train colonial army

»German – Hessians were purchased by the British