Introduction -- France's opportunity -- The first foreign mission of the United States -- France and Spain in 1777 -- The Franco-American alliance -- Austria and Spain in 1778 -- The Franco-Spanish alliance -- Spain's American policy -- The perilous neutrality of the Netherlands -- The Netherlands and neutral rights -- The armed neutrality of 1780 and the involvement of the Netherlands in the war -- The United States and Armed Neutrality -- The imperial mediators and France in 1781 -- The beginning of Peace discussions -- "Necessary" vs. "desirable" articles of peace -- The point of independence" -- The preliminary articles of November 30, 1782 -- The peace settlement of 1783.