The French Alliance with Americans

Many people may say that the French were American allies since the Battle of Saratoga but it is no true, the French helped the Patriots secretly by sending supplies into American lands, without this support of the French, the Patriots would have been defeated by shortage of ammo, food or other supplies since the Patriots were in boycotts and war. The Battle of Saratoga only encouraged the French to make an open alliance with the Patriots since they have demonstrated that they can make surrender the most strong army of that period of History.

Organizing the Treaty of Alliance

To make the open alliance, the Americans sent their best diplomats: Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane and Arthur Lee. The King Louis XVI approved the alliance and everyone signed the Treaty of Amity & Commerce (Recognizance of the United States as an independent nation and promote trade between this two countries) and the Treaty of Alliance (The French would backup the United States Forces until the full independence from the British).
France sent about 12,000 soldiers and 32,000 sailors to the New World, including Marquis de Lafayette who became Washington's good friend.

Washington and Lafayette 

Arthur Lee

Silas Deane

Benjamin Franklin