Only the Marquis de Lafayette’s powerful desire to leave behind “a life without glory” as he told his wife in 1777, would enable him to risk his life fighting in the American Revolution along patriot troops.[1] Lafayette, a key contributor to the outcome of the war, was a man born and raised to an esteemed noble family in France. He lived in his home country until the age of nineteen, when he decided to travel across the Atlantic to join the patriots’ fight during the Revolution. As a skilled fighter who went to a prestigious military school in France called the Académie de Versailles,[2] Lafayette saw the Revolution as an opportunity to utilize his years of training. In addition to being eager to fight, Lafayette joined the war to align himself with the American cause of fighting for freedom. In addition to being eager to put his training to use, the young nobleman dreamed of making a name for himself.[3] Another reason Lafayette may have been eager to join the war was his wish to avenge the death of his father, who died by a British cannonball during the Seven Years War.[4] The nineteen year old boy felt empathy for the nationalists through the loss of his father, who like him had been subject to maltreatment from Britain. The Marquis de Lafayette played a critical role in the victory against the British in the American Revolution by physically aiding the patriots as a soldier, and by providing them with French aid through negotiating an international diplomatic alliance between two nations.

Marquis de Lafayette helped colonists fight against the British during the Revolution by not only choosing to provide American troops with ordinance, but also through his steadfast presence during their tribulations. Lafayette was so passionate about fighting for the American ideal of liberty, that he initially offered to enlist as a soldier with no rank.[5] Later he would become a major general following his successes on the battlefield.[6] Lafayette was entirely devoted to fighting against the British, so he spared no expense when he sailed across the Atlantic to America in his personal ship. He provided the American army with uniforms and weapons that were bought with his own money.[7] When he witnessed troops succumbing to disease, he decided to donate money to the Americans honorifically.[8] Lafayette’s generosity toward the patriot soldiers display his fondness for the colonists' wellbeing and his resolve to beat Britain. Ultimately Lafayette’s passion toward being a part of the Americans’ fight for liberty led him to prioritize helping their army to being paid. Even though multiple French soldiers left America and returned to France after discovering the low rate of their wages, Lafayette chose to stay.[9] During the cold months of winter, the French soldier endured the harsh climate with his comrades, offering the colonists his support through his presence.[10] On July 22, 2002, Lafayette was recognized as an honorary American citizen, one of six to ever be recognized. The award was granted to appraise his heroic actions of assisting the Americans during the Revolution[11], a lasting reminder of the financial help he provided to colonists during their time of need.

A major part of Lafayette’s contributions to the Revolution came from the help he gave Americans in battle as a member of their ranks. Although new to war, Lafayette was backed with training from the prestigious French military school Académie de Versailles,[12] which allowed him to contribute to the American cause at a young age.[13] Rumors circulated that Lafayette was expected to personally train the American soldiers' the military skills he had acquired,[14] although he ultimately decided to prioritize learning from his comrades instead of becoming their teacher.[15] Regardless, Lafayette was overall successful when fighting with the American troops on the battlefield. After serving under General George Washington, the French soldier was promoted to military commander and was given command of an army at the Battle of Brandywine. Despite losing the battle, he was able to lead a successful retreat, preserving their precious few soldiers.[16] His performance during the Battle of Brandywine was deemed a win by the General, who strove to have as few casualties in his army as possible. Later Lafayette joined the select group of people who were titled Continental Officers, an esteemed military position as a reward for his hard work.[17] Lafayette was also able to help the Americans secure a win at the Battle of Yorktown. He intercepted the British General Cornwallis's troops while Washington and his men prepared for combat, implementing an opportunity for Washington’s army to gain the upper hand.[18] Lafayette’s well executed interception led the patriots to a final victory over the British during the Battle of Yorktown.[19] Lafayette’s skill and passion toward helping the Americans showed through the trust George Washington placed in him. He was chosen by Washington to travel south two years after the Battle of Yorktown to defend the General's home state of Virginia.[20] Washington had enough faith in Lafayette, a foreigner with no personal gain protecting Virginia, to defend the vital piece of American soil. Lafayette’s achievements as a soldier greatly contributed to the Americans' win during the Revolution.

In addition to providing direct military aid to the American cause, Lafayette also managed to convince the French to supply aid to the colonists during the Revolution. The American army believed that Lafayette had the ability to use his high position in French society to gain the Frenches’ favor.[21] However, the reason Lafayette was able to grant America with French aid was because of George Washington's faith in him to negotiate between the nations.[22] Since the Marquis was heir to a respected family in France, his reputation in French society enabled him to better negotiate between the two countries. As a result, he managed to convince the French King to send troops to replenish fallen American soldiers.[23] At the Battle of Brandywine Creek, Lafayette was promoted to field commander, which enabled him to formally request for an alliance with France through his higher ranked position.[24] His goal was to create a written alliance between France and America by acting as a middleman between his American comrades and political relations in France. On February 6th, 1778, the Treaty of Alliance and Treaty of Amity and Commerce were signed, preceding French troops traveling to America’s aid.[25] Now that the French had formally aligned themselves with the Americans, they were justified in providing the American army with more soldiers. As Washington’s faith in Lafayette to secure an alliance paid off, the relationship between the General and Lafayette grew. In a portrait of Lafayette and the General George Washington called George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette, the two are depicted talking under a tree, displaying the utmost confidence the renowned General had in Lafayette. As a soldier and confidant, George Washington’s relationship with Lafayette symbolically displayed both nations as a unified force.[26] Lafayette played a key role acquiring French sympathy for the patriots by acting as a figurehead for the French and American alliance along with Washington.[27]

Furthermore, Lafayette was an open supporter of American ideals both before and after the Revolution, which strengthened the Franco-American diplomatic relationship. He was attracted to American ideals from the very beginning of the Revolution because he admired that Americans stood in favor of liberty and natural rights.[28] In order to benefit the rising United States, Lafayette decided to become a proponent of the colonists’ principles. He admired the government structure they fought for,[29] saying on more than one occasion that it was superior to other governments around the world. After the war, Lafayette spread propaganda about the supremacy of American society. He toured twenty-four states after the war was over, and reaffirmed patriot beliefs as he went. He preached about the success of the Revolution's purpose, particularly appraising their growing government and their prospering economy.[30]  Lafayette provided confirmations for communities in Europe who doubted the Americans' chance at establishing a new government. He helped broadcast an already growing reputation for the United States and encouraged the belief that the newly-formed nation would have a bright future ahead.[31] Lafayette’s actions of supporting the patriots post American Revolution were just as important as his leadership during the war, because it bore a reputation of respect from the other nations of the world that stayed with the United States for centuries.

Marquis de Lafayette was able to provide aid to the Americans during their time of need, and established a lasting alliance between France and the United States. Lafayette helped colonists fight against the British during the American Revolution when he enlisted to risk his life in order to fight among them. He was able to convince the French to supply weapons, uniforms, and additional troops to the colonists, allowing the American soldiers to stay well equipped during the war. Lafayette openly supported and spread American values before and after the Revolution, strengthening the diplomatic relationship between the French and Americans. His devotion toward advocating for a group of people who he saw were in need of assistance should act as a present day model for all. Although Lafayette may have been a foreigner, his contributions to the American Revolution created the foundation for the United States’s government and the promise of liberty it presents to people all around the world.