America’s Long Relationship

With France

To the Editor:

Mr Saladin’s Period 8 Modern European History class has been confronted with the task of showing French nationalism for an “A” averaged into their grades. Of course, a free “A” in any class is a luxury to the strenuous high school life, so the class threw themselves into the challenge.

 Liberty, equality, and fraternity. These three ringing words are what France is founded upon, much like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness on which America is based. If one were to analyze the “push and pull” relationship between France and America, they would see how the two countries have relied on each other throughout history. The domino effect after our own American Revolution inspired France to revolt from the tyrant Louis XIV. France also followed the prestigious example of America forming a unique government, one never heard of, in which the people vote their leaders into office, and where every person has equal rights and opportunity. After the Articles of Confederation evolved into the American Constitution, France aspired to create its own constitution, called the Declaration of the Rights of Man, to hold the same principles as set by the United States. Unfortunately, France had to “try” 17 different constitutions before they found one that found an equal system of checks and balances between the government and the people, but nonetheless, always tried to follow in the footsteps of the successful America. These two countries have helped each other evolve into politically strong nations, and if it had not been for the other, neither of them would be as they are today.

This got Period 8 into thinking about where America would be without France. If it had not been for the French fighting side-by-side with the colonists (after the Second Battle of Saratoga) would we still be under British rule? If we had never been given the chance to form an entire unique government, would we know democracy as it is today? Would the Founding Fathers have been able to form the beginning of what would become a world super-power, and believed by millions to be “the greatest country on earth?”

 The answer to the aforesaid questions: probably not.

 We are all aware of the recent bad publicity that France has been getting from the War in Iraq. But France has proven throughout history to be a reliable source of support for the United States, and just because France disagrees with America about going to war, does that mean that all deeds are done, that all of the support that France has given the United States is to be forgotten?

 It was here where Period 8 learned the true meaning of this project; to realize that France is a truly great country, and to forget such a country would be catastrophic to the United States, as there is so much more to appreciate of France than to be ungrateful for.

 French nationalism isn’t about contests or easy grades, but rather to be grateful of our rich history with such an impressive country.

Sincerely,

Bryony Langdon

on behalf of

Period 8 Modern European History

17 Rose Lane, Sandy Hook May 3, 2006