As a prelude to National Park Week, W3R hosted a special presentation on French military participation during the American War of Independence.

Dr. Iris de Rode presented her research on the French expedition in America, which is mainly based on unpublished sources that she discovered in the Château de Chastellux (Burgundy, France), which holds the private archive of the Marquis de Chastellux who served as a major general under Rochambeau between 1780 and 1783. His papers reveal numerous insights on the French-American cooperation during the American Revolution that she shared.

In addition, she discussed many lesser-known French participants in the war, by using the journals and letters of French officers and soldiers that played a pivotal role in achieving American Independence.

Please enjoy this recording of the lecture by clicking here:

https://youtu.be/TM_U5OJ8xh4