What happened
France and the United States signed two treaties in Paris: the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance. Together they formalized diplomatic recognition, commercial relations, and the military-political partnership that brought France openly into the war against Britain.
Why it matters
This is the cleanest bridge event between the American war and the later French fiscal crisis. French support for the American side did not create the monarchy's structural financial weakness, but it materially worsened the debt burden and narrowed the crown's room for maneuver.
Notes
Two treaties were signed on the same day:
- Treaty of Amity and Commerce: recognized commercial relations and treated the United States as a legitimate international partner.
- Treaty of Alliance: committed France to a military alliance against Britain under specified conditions.
Use this note as the main cross-link when explaining how foreign policy, war finance, and domestic political breakdown intersect.