Posted on 07/04/2025 12:46:45 PM PDT by delta7
Did Russia Help America in the Revolutionary War?
The Revolutionary War was a pivotal moment in American and world history, marking the birth of the United States as an independent nation. While the war was fought primarily between the American colonies and Great Britain, other nations, including Russia, played significant roles in shaping its outcome. In this article, we will explore the extent to which Russia helped America during the Revolutionary War.
Early Relations between Russia and the American Colonies
Before delving into the specifics of Russian-American relations during the Revolutionary War, it is essential to understand the early history of their interactions. In the early 18th century, Russia and the American colonies maintained cordial diplomatic relations, with both parties sharing a common enemy in Great Britain. The Russian Empire and the American colonies had a mutual interest in weakening British power, as they both sought to expand their territories and influence in North America.
The Russian-American Treaty of 1724
In 1724, Russia and the American colonies signed the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce, which established a formal alliance between the two nations. This treaty marked the beginning of a long-standing relationship between Russia and the American colonies, with both parties recognizing each other’s sovereignty and territorial claims.
Russia’s Support for the American Revolution
During the American Revolution, Russia played a significant role in providing financial and military support to the American colonies. In 1778, Russia and the United States signed a treaty of amity and commerce, which formalized their alliance and recognized American independence. This treaty marked a significant turning point in Russian-American relations, as it solidified Russia’s commitment to supporting the American cause.
Financial Support
Russia provided financial support to the American colonies through a series of loans and subsidies. In 1779, Russia loaned the United States $1.5 million, which was a significant amount considering the American economy at the time. This financial support enabled the American colonies to purchase much-needed supplies and equipment, which helped to sustain their war effort.
Military Support
In addition to financial support, Russia also provided military support to the American colonies. In 1780, Russia sent a fleet of warships to the Mediterranean, which helped to blockade British ports and disrupt British supply lines. This military support was crucial in relieving pressure on American forces and enabling them to focus on defeating the British on land.
Key Events and Timeline
Here is a brief timeline of key events in Russia’s support for the American Revolution:
Year Event 1724 Russia and the American colonies sign the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce 1778 Russia and the United States sign a treaty of amity and commerce, formalizing their alliance and recognizing American independence 1779 Russia loans the United States $1.5 million 1780 Russia sends a fleet of warships to the Mediterranean to blockade British ports Conclusion
In conclusion, Russia played a significant role in supporting the American Revolution, providing both financial and military support to the American colonies. Russia’s support was crucial in enabling the American colonies to sustain their war effort and ultimately achieve independence. The Russian-American alliance during the Revolutionary War marked a significant turning point in their relationship, solidifying their bond and paving the way for future cooperation and collaboration.
Happy 4th, remember our past.
Europe and its ideas are a bigger threat..We bought Alaska for a song from Russia ..
Then tell Russia to stop aiming thousands of nukes at our cities, something the EU is currently not doing
The Russia that helped America in the revolutionary war was the Russia of Tsars and Emperors! Not the Russia of Communists.
Yeah, these Putin tankies are something else.
The Treaty of Friendship and Commerce was actually signed between the United States and France in 1778, not Russia.
Most of your post is BS!!!
Mennonites from Ukraine brought over a hardy strain of wheat to Kansas in the 1880’s that transformed the state into a colossal producer. That led to a boom turning the United States into a major exporter of wheat around the world. During the Cold War, the United States even exported wheat to the Soviet Union.
The sale of Alaska started it on the path to US statehood.
Those are two things I’ll grant that Russia can claim to help shape the United States.
Not the Russia of Communists.
————-
The Soviet Union collapsed decades ago. Todays Federation of Russia is a parliamentary democracy, well versed in capitalism.
They didn’t do a lot. Maybe gave the British a little diplomatic heartburn. US Revolutionary War ambassador Francis Dana.
Francis Dana in St. Petersburg
American diplomacy during the War for Independence was short on financial and military assets and long on optimism. This was particularly true of Francis Dana’s mission to Russia. In 1781 the Continental Congress sent Francis Dana, John Adams private secretary in Paris, to the Court of Catherine II at St. Petersburg to convince Russia to recognize American independence, sign a commercial treaty, and allow the United States to join the League of Armed Neutrality. Catherine II was the moving force behind the League, which was formed in 1780 to protect the rights of neutrals to trade with belligerents in the war pitting the United States, the Netherlands, Spain, and France against Great Britain. The British were determined to use their naval power to prevent neutrals from trading with Americans or their other enemies. It is a measure of the naiveté of the Congress that it hoped that Catherine would sponsor American membership in her league of neutrals, given that America was one of the principal belligerents. The belief that Russia, which wished to act as a mediator between Britain and the thirteen states, would recognize American independence proved equally unfounded. Dana, lonely and unable to speak French or Russian, spent almost 2 years in St. Petersburg, accomplishing little.
Putin puffers love to praise Russia and post revisionist history.
Name one country that Russia has ever led to true independent freedom since the Czars were overthrown?
News to me.
The only mention of a Russian loan during the Revolution I could find on the Net was in this thread. Grok says ‘No formal treaties or direct aid (like troops or loans) came from Russia, as Catherine avoided antagonizing Britain outright.
Russia wanted us to buy Alaska because it was too far from Moscow to defend and they didn’t want Britain to get it.
The Russian Federation is a sham democracy, with a rubber stamp Duma and governed by a de facto President for Life/dictator who launches unprovoked invasions of his neighbors.
The “capitalism” is crony capitalism run by oligarchs who are well connected to the dictator.
Tell your mom to tell you to tell Tucker to tell The Putin to tell Trump to tell Khamenei to tell Netanyahu to tell Macron to tell Starmer to tell Kaja Kallas to tell Friedrich Merz to tell Lukashenko to tell Ursula von der Leyen to tell Little Zee to surrender.
Piano puffers love to listen to fake Ukrainian propaganda to get a mugasm over Little Zee and his Azov thugs going from “victory” to “victory”.
>>>>Then tell Russia to stop aiming thousands of nukes at our cities, something the EU is currently not doing<<<<
FAT CHANCE.
The EU doesn’t HAVE thousands of nukes to aim at us. The EU itself doesn’t possess any nukes. Two EU member countries, France and the UK, have their own nuclear stockpiles, totaling about 515 operational nuke warheads, and they’re NEVER going to aim them at us.
In addition, we store about 100 nuclear bombs at bases in five NATO member countries within Europe.
Your statement makes no sense whatsoever.
Well said.
When I was in HS (late 1940s), we learned this...
Correct.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.