Founding of the Academy When considering the origin of our nation's first military institution, it is important to realize that the American Revolution greatly influenced its conception and founding. As a looming country oppressed by the most powerful empire in the world, our independence was not achieved easily. America's lack of military experience, including not enough competent and experienced military leaders, proved to be one daunting disadvantage among others. America, however, did not fight this revolution alone. After their victory at the Battle of Saratoga, they obtained much-needed foreign aid, which included money, ammunition, soldiers, and professional engineers who upgraded the Continental Army and militias, as well as their fortifications. Foreign assistance was crucial to the success of the Continental Army and its cause. The Continental Congress realized that foreign provisions were needed to effectively and efficiently combat British forces. Shortly after the United States declared its independence from Great Britain, diplomats negotiated a secret alliance with French officials. (History-French Alliance) Subsequently, the French provided supplies, money, weapons, and most importantly, professional soldiers and sailors to assist in land and naval support. These resources proved vital to offsetting America's many tangible disadvantages. Arguably, however, with America's many advantages, such as its primary defensive role, great leadership, and, most importantly, its cause, they could have won the Revolutionary War without foreign intervention, but that is beside the point. The point is that the United States, with the help of additional resources, was able to defeat the British much more efficiently. The most important assets commissioned by the Continental Army were foreign men