The above picture shows the British surrender at Saratoga, a key victory that convinced the French to help (See treaty of Alliance)
American Independence
The American Revolution lasted from 1775 to 1783, and is the war that created America. Initially America fought alone, but gained French assistance after the Treaty of Alliance. French supplies and armaments were supplied in addition to military assistance. The British had a much larger professional army than America, but America had large, albeit unreliable, militias. America eventually began winning more battles, and after approximately eight years of war, America won and gained its independence.
I think this war will be forever idolized as the creator of America and enshrined as the beginning of Americas love of freedom and hatred of tyranny. It is probably the most significant event in American history. It was a great accomplishment then, but nobody at the time could have predicted Americas subsequent rise into the most powerful country in the world.
An informational video about the French contribution in the American Revolution
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F50613F8385B1B7A93C0AB1788D85F458285F9
Some controversy over French loans to America
Some controversy over French loans to America