How did France and Spain help America in the American Revolution?

The best benefit that the patriots received from Spain and France during the Revolutionary War was the fact that the Americans were not having to fight alone.  With Spain and France having the ability to threaten British colonies and maybe even Britain itself, the British Empire could not commit its full strength against the colonists.  Spain and France supplied financial help during the war and provided a morale boost to the Americans who thought that...

The best benefit that the patriots received from Spain and France during the Revolutionary War was the fact that the Americans were not having to fight alone.  With Spain and France having the ability to threaten British colonies and maybe even Britain itself, the British Empire could not commit its full strength against the colonists.  Spain and France supplied financial help during the war and provided a morale boost to the Americans who thought that the prospects for independence were dim.  One of America's best generals, Marquis de Lafayette, was a French citizen.  The French navy also proved invaluable, especially in the siege of Yorktown when the French navy and Washington's army kept the British army from escaping.  While at that time both Spain and France did not have any close ties to American republican thought, both nations were interested in seeing the British Empire suffer.