In many parts of America, there is a very strong anti-French sentiment
that is for the most part based on error and misconception. This essay
seeks to correct those mistakes.
The French thought formed the basis of American democracy. American
Revolution and its founding principles was the expression of French
18th century thought known as =93French Enlightenment,=94 and the French
saw America as the embodiment of their ideals, whereas the English saw
America as a province of ungrateful traitors. The French provided
crucial assistance to American Revolution, and without their help -
both informing the Independence and assisting the Revolution - America
would not have existed as what it is and likely would not have existed
at all. So before Americans speak about =93saving French=92s ass,=94 it
behoves them to look back to what, and who, made it possible for
America to exist as a country - and what, and who, sustained America
through its darkest times.
There are many who call the French cowards and sneer at their supposed
military weakness. Lest we forget, France had Napoleon over a century
before Germany had Hitler, and Napoleon conquered a comparable section
of Europe as did Hitler without committing anywhere close to Hitler=92s
level of crimes against mankind. For a culture that does not place
priority on militarism and instead values such things as art and
cultivation and human rights, that is quite an accomplishment; and to
mistake civilization or love of peace for cowardice or weakness is an
error that has lead to demise of many barbaric thugs. Quite simply,
this is a culture that does not place priority on these matters and
should be seen for accomplishments in matters on which it does place
priority. And yes, it also has military accomplishment; which one
would not expect normally from such a country, and which is to its
credit.
There are others who talk about America =93saving the French=91s ass=94 in
the two world wars. In fact, American involvement in both wars had
very little to do with the French. In the First World War, Americans
came into the war when the Germans sunk an American ship. That is a
valid reason for entering a war, but it had nothing to do with saving
anyone. In the Second World War, France was conquered in 1940;
Americans landed in Europe in 1944. This happened after the Soviets
had already defeated the Germans and were driving them back. And the
most likely cause for coming in at that date and not before that date,
is not wanting to see Stalin go to Berlin, then Paris, then London,
then Omaha. That, is likewise a valid reason for waging a war; but
once again it had nothing to do with the French.
The Americans and the French (indeed Western Europe) became hostile
cultures after the Second World War because Americans and Europeans
learned different lessons from the Second World War. The Europeans
(led by the French thinkers) decided that war as well as nationalist
militarism is wrong, and that things should be done in a peaceful,
diplomatic, civil and cultured way. The Americans decided that they
were the greatest and could not only spit on everyone else=92s
accomplishments, but also control the world through coercive military
and economic means. This made the former friends into rivals; but
something happened of even greater significance:
The ideals behind American Revolution went back to Europe; and Europe
adopted America=92s best traits, while America adopted many of Europe=92s
ugliest ones.
Which means that, at this time, the support for America=92s founding
principles means support for people and places who embody them the
most. And that is now scattered all over the world, with higher
concentration in many parts of Europe than in the Republican parts of
the United States. The human rights, democratic, ideal, is neither the
brainchild of America nor solely belongs to America, and is more
advanced in many parts of the world and among many people than it is
among America=91s self-proclaimed =93patriots.=94 And while we may not see
the Statue of Liberty coming back to Paris, the thought behind it is
now very much an aspect of Europe and growing there, whereas America
falls shorter and shorter of its revolutionary ideals with every
election stolen, every person imprisoned and tortured without due
process, everyone convicted through profiling and without evidence,
everyone demonized for thinking differently, every new set of abuses
in the name of community or tradition or religion or sanity, and
tightening of the noose through these methods around American people=92s
necks.
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