On October 26, 1776, Benjamin Franklin set sail from Philadelphia to France to negotiate and secure a formal alliance and treaty.

In France, Franklin became famous in society due to his scientific and literary achievements. While his personal achievements were celebrated, Franklin’s success in France was slowing. France felt that they could not declare an alliance with the United States until they knew that America would win over the British.

Franklin made friends throughout the following year in France. They were officials in the country, and they were looking forward to pushing for an alliance. France was secretly supporting America with shipments of militias. However, France did not think that American victory was possible until the United States had a victory over the British at the Battle of Saratoga.

A few months after the Battle of Saratoga, representatives of the United States and France, including Benjamin Franklin, came together to form their alliance by signing the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance on February 6, 1778. The French said that these agreements were crucial to the eventual American victory over the British in the War for Independence.