Financial Aspects of French in the War

France's status as a great modern power was affirmed by the war. Even though French territory was not affected, victory in a war against Britain with battles like the siege in Yorktown in 1781 had a large financial cost which severely degraded fragile finances and increased the deficit in France. Even worse, France’s hope to become the first commercial partner of United States was not realized, and Britain immediately became the United States’ main trade partner. Pre-war trade was kept between Britain and the US, with most American trade remaining within the British Empire. France, despite its financial difficulties, used the occasion of the war to weaken its rival in European and world affairs, Britan. Independence for the colonies would seriously damage the British and create a rising power, the United States, that could be allied with France. Some argue France primarily sought revenge against Britain for the loss of territory in America in the Treaty of Power. French participation reflected the desperate French diplomatic position on the European continent. The Spanish navy was vital to the maintenance of the military initiative by the allies. France was desperate for peace but did not attempt to betray the United States. The French government was overwhelmed by debt maintenance, but war led to the financial crisis.