alternatehistory.com

Now, you and I know that France has consistently produced armed forces as great as any in the world. They won the 100 Years War, defended themselves in the Revolutionary Wars from most of Europe, unleashed Napoleon, beat the Russians in the Crimean War (with the help of the British, Turks, et al), wobbled a bit against Prussia in 1870-71 (but then again, who didn't?), and generally did pretty well. They even fought well for most of World War 1, excluding their mutiny and early offensives. (Verdun, anyone?) The Foreign Legion has remained in the gallery of military units the average person respects for their general toughness.

It all fell down, of course, at world war 2. Then Indo-China. And Algeria. And...

So, everyone: what sort of alternate history could have rescued the French from being derided universally as "Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys" and suchlike? (In this vein: http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/images/blpic-frenchmilitaryvictories.htm .)

Bonus points if it doesn't involve World War II.
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