French Republic Finds Ally/Enemy in American Republic

I'd love to hear people's ideas on what might have happened if America had taken greater interest in the French Revolution, including both possible PODs (my favorite is Washington dying in the war and Jefferson as first president) and also the consequences. I'm interested in an alliance between the young republics, but also the possibility that America feel a debt is owed to the French monarchy and jump in on the other side.
Discuss
 
I'd love to hear people's ideas on what might have happened if America had taken greater interest in the French Revolution, including both possible PODs (my favorite is Washington dying in the war and Jefferson as first president) and also the consequences. I'm interested in an alliance between the young republics, but also the possibility that America feel a debt is owed to the French monarchy and jump in on the other side.
Discuss

Probably around before the Jay treaty. Having the jeffersonians more clout would give USA a more French aligned policy and retain the alliance that was signed in 1778.
 
You might need to have France be more of a real trading partner with the Americans. Possibly by ending how all countries they conquered had their economies aimed at France, or stop the French from seizing hundreds of ships for the profit to be made from the theft.
 
Probably around before the Jay treaty. Having the jeffersonians more clout would give USA a more French aligned policy and retain the alliance that was signed in 1778.

I'm thinking now, remembering Jefferson's position in Washington's cabinet that an earlier death for Hamilton would work well to position Jefferson, but would he support the monarchy or revolutionaries?
 
You might need to have France be more of a real trading partner with the Americans. Possibly by ending how all countries they conquered had their economies aimed at France, or stop the French from seizing hundreds of ships for the profit to be made from the theft.

Curious. I'd imagined it from a less practical view. WI the American Founding Fathers had played a big brother sort of role to the French ones? Could they have curbed the excesses of the Revolution? Would they have offered any threat to the Coalition and thus had any real effect on the military situation in Europe? Would they have needed to? France seems to have done well on their own. If the internal squabbling and killing could have been avoided, could Napoleonism been avoided as well?
 
Curious. I'd imagined it from a less practical view. WI the American Founding Fathers had played a big brother sort of role to the French ones? Could they have curbed the excesses of the Revolution? Would they have offered any threat to the Coalition and thus had any real effect on the military situation in Europe? Would they have needed to? France seems to have done well on their own. If the internal squabbling and killing could have been avoided, could Napoleonism been avoided as well?
Threat to the coalition with what army and navy? The US at the time is too weak to play "big brother" I think the french ould take such attitude like an insult.
 
Threat to the coalition with what army and navy? The US at the time is too weak to play "big brother" I think the french would take such attitude like an insult.

I can't imagine America sending troops to Europe in this period, so the only real effect I can see would be creating a second front for the British when they become involved a la the Seven Years/French and Indian War. I think the political question might well be more important. There is little doubt for me that the success of the American revolution had a hand in inspiring the French Revolution. Elder statesmen like Franklin being allowed to play a more active role in France could be imagined to prevent the strong French reaction to the Declaration of Pillnitz. If France doesn't declare war on Austria, this could buy more time for France. FW II of Prussia wasn't keen on war. If they don't execute the whole French royal family in '93, war might even be avoided longer or altogether.
 
Thomas Paine was in France during the revolution. He almost got executed. He also worked with Napoleon on how to best overthrow the British monarchy.
 
Thomas Paine was in France during the revolution. He almost got executed. He also worked with Napoleon on how to best overthrow the British monarchy.

I forgot about that. But he was neither there in an official capacity nor likely to be a calming influence.
I imagine Franklin or even Jefferson challenging Brissot and other Girondins to reconsider war with Austria.
 

Redhand

Banned
For proFrench intervention, you could start with having a less openly disrespectful and combative ambassador to the US. Before Tallyrand ever asked for a bribe, Genet played the role of rabble rouser in the US and was somewhat of an embarrassment for Jefferson as he really PO'd Washington and made Hamilton look good in comparison.

Perhaps as a way to get antiFrench intervention, you could have the Quasi War blow up beyond Adams control by having the Spanish start to do the same insulting things to the US and have Hamilton get his invasion of Florida.
 
Top