WI: American-French War in the Late 1700s

Say the Quasi-War becomes a full-blown war and the US invades France or Vice-Visera, What would happen next.
 
No way America can invade France. Logistics, manpower, etc. constraints make it completely absurd.

As for France invading America... well, the Royal Navy would like to have a word with you.
 
There's no way that America could invade France but if France invades the US it plays out pretty much like the War of 1812. France raids some coastal towns, maybe lands an army or two and then leaves.

Invading the US is a terrifyingly expensive prospect with really no gain for France. Like England a few years earlier or later France can't project enough force to make the US submit and the US isn't going to surrender or part with territory so the only thing the war is going to do is drain France's coffers. England will either sit back and watch the fight or sell arms to the US to hurt France. I expect that Louisiana will still go to the Americans, either bought or "liberated" from the Spanish like Florida was
 

katchen

Banned
There's no way that America could invade France but if France invades the US it plays out pretty much like the War of 1812. France raids some coastal towns, maybe lands an army or two and then leaves.

Invading the US is a terrifyingly expensive prospect with really no gain for France. Like England a few years earlier or later France can't project enough force to make the US submit and the US isn't going to surrender or part with territory so the only thing the war is going to do is drain France's coffers. England will either sit back and watch the fight or sell arms to the US to hurt France. I expect that Louisiana will still go to the Americans, either bought or "liberated" from the Spanish like Florida was
Except that if Louisiana is "liberated" rather than bought from the Spaniards, Texas will almost surely go with it. No way will the Americans permit the Spanish to keep Nagcodoches and Bexar (San Antonio), Laredo, Reynosa or Matamoros in a war situation.Not even Monterrey if they can avoid it.
IOTL, John Quincy Adams, anti-slavery as he was, deliberately negotiated away Texas to minimize the slave territory the US would get from the 1820 Adams-Onis Treaty. This won't happen ITTL). The US may take Nuevo Mexico and California too. Perhaps even Chihuahua and Sonora and Baja California del Norte.
 
During War

British: Looks like France is giving you a beating, you should have never have left the empire, need any help?

America: I guess.............

After War

British: Aren't you glad we won?

America: Yeah, but you got all of Frances colonies plus Louisana

British: Yes, but we are closer now and your security is now forever our reasonable we should sign some trade deals

America: Ok
 

TFSmith121

Banned
Consider how well the French expeditionary force did in Haiti in 1802-1803

Consider how well the French expeditionary force did in Haiti in 1802-1803.

Consider how well the British did in Argentina in 1806-07.

Consider how well the British did in North America in 1775-83, and again in 1812-15.

There's your answer.

Best,
 
I don’t think anyone’s saying that. France has tasty Caribbean colonies, however.

Indeed, and the Continental Marines did invade some of the British colonies there. Likely a French flag would be no more protection.

I could see something like this happening if the Quasi-War, which IOTL went from 1798 to about 1800, exploded into a more open conflict. France would have to invade.

Having made the decision to invade, France must now ship thousands of men and ton upon ton of materials across the North Atlantic, all while keeping enough in reserve to handle any bothersome troubles stirred up by the Spanish, the Dutch, and of course the British, who are likely still smarting from the American Revolution and who wouldn't likely mind a little revenge.

Even an especially capable French general will find his mission a daunting one, invading a massive, hostile land full of armed and fiercely independent people who speak a different language, regard his very culture as foreign, have no desire to be reconquered, and are perfectly ready to fight if they must.

In addition to the difficulties of such a war, the expenditures will pile on to France's rapidly expanding national debt, already skyrocketing high ironically because of aid lent the American rebels.
 
Last edited:

TFSmith121

Banned
You realize the French had a few other issues at the time, right?

Peace of Amiens wasn't signed until 1802.

Best,
 
Peace of Amiens wasn't signed until 1802.

Best,

Which means either extend the Quasi-War, which is entirely possible, or find some other cause for the French to want to attack the nascent American Republic.

Alternatively, end the Quasi-War as IOTL, but have smoldering French resentments over what they see as owed support not given explode into military aggression.
 
I was going to comment that France was still at war with England. Add to it America and they are going to get some butt kicked. I expect that the US will go after New Orleans and the Louisiana Territory and this time not pay a penny. Some of the island colonies will get picked off and lots of privateers will be looking for French ships to pillage.
 
I was going to comment that France was still at war with England. Add to it America and they are going to get some butt kicked. I expect that the US will go after New Orleans and the Louisiana Territory and this time not pay a penny. Some of the island colonies will get picked off and lots of privateers will be looking for French ships to pillage.

I would also expect the British to become involved in any Franco-American War, as the Peace of Amiens barely survived twelve months.

America trying for some land gains in Louisiana makes sense, especially New Orleans for the economic value.

I can also see some argument during peace negotiations about Caribbean colonies, with the British and Americans both wanting them, in which case the British likely win out.
 
Top