Some people might think that France has always loved the United States, at least until George W. Bush became President. However, according to John J. Miller and Mark Molesky they have spent much more time in opposition to America than as its friend.
It all started with the French & Indian Wars. The French did their best to use various Amerind tribes as cannon fodder in their war against the British colonies. Their heinous actions would be remembered by the colonists for many years to come.
When the American Revolution started the French didn’t like the concept of democracy at all, it was an abomination in the minds of the monarchy…. However it wasn’t as bad as their old enemy, Britain. The French were able to put aside their distaste for democracy just long enough to get some cheap shots in on their more despised enemy. French assistance to the Americans was limited and at times did more harm than good.
When the Revolution ended the struggle against the French continued. The French were willing to cede all the territory occupied by the British to the British Empire leaving the rebel colonies a shell of a new nation. Luckily Ben Franklin and others made sure that the French didn’t negotiate on behalf of the America.
Next came the Quasi-War, an undeclared war on the high seas between the Untied States and France. More lives are lost.
During the American Civil War the French attempted to gain control over Mexico…. The problem was the Mexicans didn’t want them and when the Civil War ended there were two large and battle hardened armies staring down at the French occupation forces. The French went home.
With the arrival of the twentieth century came a couple of world wars. In the first one America joined the fight against Germany and saved France. In return the French forced a harsh peace with Germany despite Wilson’s Fourteen Points and calls for leniency. This led to the United States saving France in the Second World War.
However liberating the French people in the Second World War brought America and France into violent conflict yet again. During Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, American and British forces were attack, and some killed, by French forces. In addition the Allied leaders didn’t fully trust Charles De Gaulle and did their best to leave him out of many operations.
During the Cold War France withdrew from NATO and threatened to aim its nukes at the United States. A strange way of saying thank you.
Even during the War on Terror France has not been one of America’s staunchest allies.
Details on all of these events, as well as others, are covered by this book. While it has a strong anti-French slant, it does bring an interesting perspective to Franco-American relations.
It also doesn’t bash the French people. It goes after their various governments and the French elite. An interesting read.
