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Why did the Marquis de Lafayette travel to the American colonies in 1777?

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The Marquis de Lafayette traveled to the American colonies in 1777 primarily because he aspired to win glory as a soldier. Although he was a member of the court of King Louis XVI, he sought to distinguish himself through military service.1

Driven by this ambition, he traveled to America at his own expense, arriving in Philadelphia in July 1777. Despite having no prior combat experience and being under 20 years of age, he was appointed a major general in the Continental Army. His decision to join the conflict was part of a broader movement of European idealists and soldiers of fortune who sought to fight for American independence. Upon his arrival, he formed a close, surrogate father-son relationship with the American commander in chief, George Washington, and went on to serve with distinction throughout the war.1