 In 1778, Beaumarchais' hopes were fulfilled when the French government agreed to the Treaty of Amity and Commerce and the Treaty of Alliance.France officially entered the American War of Independence soon after, followed by Spain in 1779 and the Dutch Republic in 1780.Shortly after the death of Voltaire in 1778, Beaumarchais set out to publish Voltaire's complete works, many of which were banned in France.