Surely it wasn't just a case of the French intervening in North America though Hi-lo? The conflict then expanded globally into a much wider conflict where Britain was fighting not just France but Spain and the Netherlands too. North America was just one theatre in a more global conflict.Something similar to how the Jacobite Rebellions were one aspect of a wider conflict. What ifs are interesting but of course they can't be proved either way.

As to what someone else mention - what is taught in schools in the US? I don't think the said subject is given much space here in the UK if it is given any space at all. Certainly both my kids did Higher History recently and the subjects taught were the Reform Act, First World War and funnily enough my son did a lot of work on the American Civil War (which he didn't particularly enjoy) but can't remember either of them even mentioning the American Revolution. Never touched it when I did history either. I remember doing the Reform Act, First World War and Russian Revolution! I think Brits in general will be pretty ignorant re the details of American Indepedence.