Question

treaty of alliance with france, 1778
if war should break out between france and great britain during the continuance of the present war between the united states and england, his majesty and the said united states shall make it a common cause and aid each other mutually with their good - offices, their counsels and their forces, according to the exigences of conjunctures, as becomes good and faithful allies. the essential and direct end of the present defensive alliance is to maintain effectually the liberty, sovereignty and independence absolute and unlimited, of the said united states, as well in matters of government sic as of commerce.
\treaty of alliance with france, 1778.\ the library of congress.
which of the following most directly motivated france to pursue a treaty of alliance with the united states?
elimination tool
select one answer
a a desire to defeat their principal colonial rival britain
b the desire to support a fellow democracy in the united states
c the want to ensure the protection of their native american allies in north america
d an aspiration to annex spanish florida

Explanation:

France had long - standing colonial and geopolitical rivalries with Britain. During the American Revolutionary War, allying with the United States was a strategic move to weaken their main colonial competitor, Britain. At the time, France was not particularly motivated by supporting democracy in the US as it was still an absolute monarchy itself. There is no strong connection between the treaty and the protection of Native American allies or the aspiration to annex Spanish Florida.

Answer:

A. A desire to defeat their principal colonial rival Britain