Valley Forge Treaty with France

Winter - 1777 Washington’s untrained army has trouble fighting the British. Philadelphia and New York City are both held by the British. Washington has only a few thousand men left. With winter arriving, the Americans settle into Valley Forge in Pennsylvania camp.

A Miserable Winter Washington’s men are poorly supplied. Little warm clothing, few shoes, little food, and poor shelter. About 2,500 men die from the cold, hunger, and smallpox.

“For Thanksgiving dinner, all we received was half a gill (four tablespoons) of rice and a tablespoon of vinegar.” -- Joseph Martin, a soldier at Valley Forge

Training the Army Washington seeks help from experienced military commanders. The Americans receive training from Baron Friedrich von Steuben of Prussia. Von Steuben turns the Americans into a strong fighting force.

Alliance with France Ben Franklin has convinced King Louis XVI to help the Americans. The French send money, uniforms, weapons, and ships. France’s goal: “The humiliation of England.”