Lafayette's America

http://opportunitylives.com ^ | June 11, 2015 | Ellen Carmichael

[NKP_Vet]

For several weeks, an 18th century replica ship has traveled across the Atlantic Ocean from France to the U.S. L'Hermione is an exact copy of the vessel sailed by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1780 to notify his friend, General George Washington, that the French king had agreed to provide troops and resources to the flailing Continental Army. This week, the boat is docked in the Washington, D.C. area, fittingly near Mount Vernon, and various French and American entities are feting the occasion.

They have good reason. America's first and longest ally is France, despite occasional variances in political dispositions. While it is undeniable that King Louis XVI relished the opportunity to avenge their defeat at the hands of the British in the French and Indian War a few decades prior, it was Lafayette who convinced le roi to take up the American cause in 1780.

Historian Laura Auricchio, who has spent nearly a decade studying the marquis, argues that without Lafayette, there would be no America at all. In an October 2014 discussion of her definitive work on the man, "The Marquis: Lafayette Reconsidered," Auricchio says that Lafayette's advocacy for the American people was directly responsible for the French troops, supplies and navy that ultimately propelled the U.S. to victory.

"I believe that we won the Revolutionary War thanks to French support - both naval and ground support from France," Aurrichio explains. "In a way, I think Lafayette really forced the French government out into the open with their support of America, and that in turn, led to the winning of the war."

So, who was this tenacious French aristocrat and why did he care about America, anyway?

[NKP_Vet]

A fine article about the great Marquis de Lafayette, Major General, Continental Army

"Throughout his extraordinary life, Lafayette's greatest passion remained the pursuit of freedom for all people. He understood that mankind's most basic yearning was to be free. And he was certain that the outcome of this great American Experiment would yield benefits the whole world would enjoy. He was right.

"Humanity has won its battle," he wrote to Adrienne from the newly-liberated America. "Liberty now has a country."

[Defiant]

America in 1965 was more like the America of 1789 than America in 2016 is like America in 1965. That America, which was still recognizably American, is gone. Americans and their culture are but a remnant, visible in only isolated and sparsely populated enclaves.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Article on Lafayette voyage to America reenactment.

FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Revolutionary War/Founding Father ping list.

[Georgia Girl 2]

It is so true. The young people of today have no idea of how free we used to really be. I guess you don’t miss what you never knew.

[iowamark]

Statue in Lafayette Square north of the White House.

[silverleaf]

bookmark

[laplata]

Thank you!

I think Nov. 22, 1963 was a major turning point for America.

[Oratam]

Cur Non

[NKP_Vet]

https://about.lafayette.edu/why-not/

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks afraidfortherepublic.

• Why Does George Washington Have Two Birthdays?

[Rebelbase]

"Lafayette would also go on to earn a reputation as a brilliant military mind. He played an invaluable role in several high profile battles, often evading British troops and outmaneuvering them at nearly every turn. The most consequential of these was the final battle of the American Revolution at Yorktown in 1781. Here, Lafayette drew the brutal British commander Charles Cornwallis and his troops into a trap, forcing the Red Coats to surrender to the Continental Army and ending the war."

Say what?

[SunkenCiv]

"Nous voila, Lafayette!" -- Charles Stanton, July 4, 1917

[SunkenCiv]

On a visit to France in 1779, Lafayette won formal French support for the American cause, a diplomatic coup that vivified Revolutionary forces. Lafayette’s tactical cunning and fearlessness in battle saved the Revolution many times, but his French connections were played to their greatest advantage at the 1781 Battle of Yorktown. Lafayette cornered Britain’s Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown in a triangular trap comprised of French reinforcements to the west, American troops to the east, and the York River to the north. After a siege of several days, Cornwallis capitulated on October 19, 1781. This fatal blow to British forces ensured the American Revolution was all but won. http://www.history.org/almanack/people/bios/biolafayette.cfm

The World Turned Upside Down
[snip] Tradition has it that when Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown (1781) the British played this tune... In America the tune was also known as Derry Down and The Old Women Taught Wisdom [/snip]

http://www.contemplator.com/england/worldtur.html

[Rebelbase]

Lafayette played a role at Yorktown but he didn’t draw Cornwallis into a trap. Cornwallis did that to himself.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Must not forget the strategic importance of the French / British naval Battle of the Chesapeake, Sept 5, 1781. While not decisive, it caused Adm Graves returned to NY to muster relief which made possible US victory at Yorktown.

[SunkenCiv]

The French took years to commit to battle, must have been frustrating, but coordination with Washington definitely led to the decisive course of action.