Judy Wang
Professor Joseph Hall
HIST 140
Nov.16, 2016
A Rational Explanation The American War of Independence ended in 1783 with victory of the united states and defeat of the British Empire. It established independence of the thirteen colonialists from the empire and marked the beginning of the history of the United States. Despite their victory, the colonialists were not experienced soldiers and they cannot compare to the well trained military of the British Empire at all. They could not have accomplished their victory without help from their ally countries. Among the allies, France was the strongest supporter and the greatest resource. With the financial and military aid from France, the newborn nation was able to sustain and develop itself …show more content…
Even though some argue that the French motivation was to acquire a new trade source that would benefit only France, Vergennes refuted that he in fact believe it would be “a very pretty consideration” for France if American trade could be open to all nations . This is supported by the Treaty of Amity and Commerce which states that all privileges of American trade were to be “mutual” instead of only given to France. Also, the Treaty of Alliance further demonstrated this doctrine by stating that the ultimate aim was to achieve not only political but also commercial independence of the United States . It is clear that the major motive of the alliance was not to build up French trade, but instead, to break down the British control of American trade. Throughout the years of British control, the American colonies had been contributing greatly to the power of its mother country. According to Vergennes, it had been “undoubtedly a great object of interest” and “an important source of the growth of her industry and power” . To break down British control of American trade would certainly enfeeble the British greatly, but the French government was not doing this just for the purpose of revenge. The enfeeblement of England would attribute to the greater …show more content…
The King and the government did try to control public opinion. There was a government censorship of the press, which controls publication of books. However, this censorship had little effect and contrarily sparked greater enthusiasm about new ideas. The more a book was burned by an execution officer, the more it was sold and read among the public . This corresponds with the popular sentiment of the public that the past should be abandoned and restrictions on new thoughts of liberty should be condemned. These sentiments had gained increasing support over time even before the American Revolution. Therefore, it is perfectly reasonable that the French intellectuals were able to sympathize with the American cause when the trouble of the colonies came into discussion, for the reason that they had been seeing themselves as “representatives of public liberties and political reforms” . Their influence became so great that they were able to exercise influence in the councils of the King to support French participation in the war . To appease the resentment and secure his reign, it is safe to say that Louis XVI’s decision to support the United States was influenced by public opinion. The Treaty of Alliance was a clear representation of the sentiments of the French public as it claimed the absolute freedom of the United States to be the ultimate aim of France. Without the
Professor Joseph Hall
HIST 140
Nov.16, 2016
A Rational Explanation The American War of Independence ended in 1783 with victory of the united states and defeat of the British Empire. It established independence of the thirteen colonialists from the empire and marked the beginning of the history of the United States. Despite their victory, the colonialists were not experienced soldiers and they cannot compare to the well trained military of the British Empire at all. They could not have accomplished their victory without help from their ally countries. Among the allies, France was the strongest supporter and the greatest resource. With the financial and military aid from France, the newborn nation was able to sustain and develop itself …show more content…
Even though some argue that the French motivation was to acquire a new trade source that would benefit only France, Vergennes refuted that he in fact believe it would be “a very pretty consideration” for France if American trade could be open to all nations . This is supported by the Treaty of Amity and Commerce which states that all privileges of American trade were to be “mutual” instead of only given to France. Also, the Treaty of Alliance further demonstrated this doctrine by stating that the ultimate aim was to achieve not only political but also commercial independence of the United States . It is clear that the major motive of the alliance was not to build up French trade, but instead, to break down the British control of American trade. Throughout the years of British control, the American colonies had been contributing greatly to the power of its mother country. According to Vergennes, it had been “undoubtedly a great object of interest” and “an important source of the growth of her industry and power” . To break down British control of American trade would certainly enfeeble the British greatly, but the French government was not doing this just for the purpose of revenge. The enfeeblement of England would attribute to the greater …show more content…
The King and the government did try to control public opinion. There was a government censorship of the press, which controls publication of books. However, this censorship had little effect and contrarily sparked greater enthusiasm about new ideas. The more a book was burned by an execution officer, the more it was sold and read among the public . This corresponds with the popular sentiment of the public that the past should be abandoned and restrictions on new thoughts of liberty should be condemned. These sentiments had gained increasing support over time even before the American Revolution. Therefore, it is perfectly reasonable that the French intellectuals were able to sympathize with the American cause when the trouble of the colonies came into discussion, for the reason that they had been seeing themselves as “representatives of public liberties and political reforms” . Their influence became so great that they were able to exercise influence in the councils of the King to support French participation in the war . To appease the resentment and secure his reign, it is safe to say that Louis XVI’s decision to support the United States was influenced by public opinion. The Treaty of Alliance was a clear representation of the sentiments of the French public as it claimed the absolute freedom of the United States to be the ultimate aim of France. Without the