Why France Backed the American Revolution (And Got Nothing in Return) | S1E12 AAR

The American Revolution was only one theatre in a global war—and far from the main event.

Geopolitical rivalry and revenge drove France to rally other powers against Britain, transforming a colonial rebellion in the Americas into a globe-spanning military conflict—a true world war.

After its defeat in the Seven Years’ War, France pursued a long-term strategy to weaken Britain, culminating in intervention after the American victory at Saratoga. The conflict quickly expanded to include Spain and the Netherlands, with naval fighting across the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean. Despite its decisive role, France gained little from the 1783 peace—and later viewed American diplomacy as a betrayal.

📄 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I⁠nterview Transcript

🚩About My Guest: Dr. Rafe Blaufarb

Dr. Rafe Blaufarb is a historian in Florida State University. He is an Eminent Scholar of Napoleonic Studies and the director of the Institute On Napoleon and the French Revolution.

He is the author of many books, including the following:

• "Napoleon: A Symbol for an Age";
• "Napoleonic Foot Soldiers and Civilians: A Brief History with Documents",
• "The Revolutionary Atlantic: Republican Visions, 1760-1830";
• "Bonapartists in the Borderlands: French Exiles and Refugees on the Gulf Coast, 1815-1835";
• "The Great Demarcation: The French Revolution and the Invention of Modern Property"; and
• "The French Army, 1750-1820: Careers, Talent, Merit".

►My other interview with Dr. Blaufarb is "The Real Napoleon — Propaganda Genius Or Brilliant General?"

▶️Other Interviews:

►Interview with Prof. Joel Richard Paul: Silas Deane, Benjamin Franklin & Arthur Lee in Paris (will be linked here when it publishes)

►Interview with Dr. Gonzalo Quintero: Spain & the American Revolution (will be linked here when it publishes)

►Interview with Dr. Peter Van Cleave: Netherlands & the American Revolution (will be linked here when it publishes)

►Interview with Dr. Richard Bell

Ireland & the American Revolution

►Interview with Dr. Ivan Kurilla:

Russia & the American Revolution

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📑 Video Chapters:

00:00 Select Highlights

01:42 Guest Introduction

3:19 French Religion vs. French realpolitik

6:17 Catholicism Losing In France

7:57 Americans more religious than the French?

9:58 Revenge

12:11 The Only Caution

14:01 French Nationalism & American Cause

15:34 Americans in Paris

20:09 Why the French love Franklin

23:18 France rallies the world for America

25:14 Spanish, the Dutch, Russia & others

28:05 French Navy & the World War

31:46 Britain Alone in a Global War

32:10 Ireland

34:32 What does France get from helping Americans?

35:55 Does France get what it wants?

39:07 France gets nothing

43:14 Legacy of feeling betrayed

44:02 France & the War of 1812

45:50 Just One Point

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