“When (Marquis de) Lafayette learned of the struggle of the Americans in their endeavor to secure their independence he resolved to come to the colonies to aid them in their efforts as a volunteer” (“Who Served Here?”). Lafayette led General George Washington’s army at Yorktown. He was not only a volunteer who soon was known as a high ranking officer, but came to America to learn the ways of a colony fighting for independence. Against the words of his authority in France, Lafayette was hoping to learn from the command in America however the opposite arose. Due to the struggles by the colonists during the Revolutionary War, Marquis de Lafayette was the main contributor towards the colonists to gained independence from England …show more content…
Lafayette’s family was one of the wealthiest in France. His father died fighting in the Seven Years’ War when he was only two years of age (The Marquis de Lafayette). Due the choice of his father to fight and die for his country, Marquis was compelled to peruse military tactics. If Lafayette was not introduced to military thinking young, he may have never pursued it as a profession due to the overwhelming wealth of his family. At the age of eleven death took his mother. Years later at the age of sixteen, Marquis married into the royal family of France to Marie Adrienne Francoise de Noailles (The Marquis de Lafayette). In August of 1775, Marquis de Lafayette’s voice of reason instantly changed. He met the Duke of Gloucester through dinner; the discussion of the constant struggles in colonies to gain independence from England was the talk of the evening. That night in 1775 changed the outcome of American independence and the start of ultimate success to Marquis de Lafayette’s military …show more content…
That summer Lafayette traveled to Philadelphia where he was treated as a volunteer yet highly respected by many. He became a Major General the same summer which is not an easy title to receive. As a volunteer earning the title Major General was a prestigious honor. Towards the beginning of fall, General George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette met for the first time. General Washington was taken aback by the words of Lafayette saying "I am here to learn, not to teach." (The Marquis de Lafayette). Many French leaders during this time were very arrogant and constantly expressing opinions to the leader of the Continental Army, Lafayette was an exception. Taking a step back and observing before criticism was the key to the success of the two