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Why assume that this is forgotten? We remember. We also remember that the French were in constant conflict with the Brits at that time and Imperial France supporting the enemy of their enemy was not exactly an altruistic policy.
We also know that since 1781 the French have been nothing but obstructionist ingrates, from our perspective of course, you may see things differently.
Maybe their lifelong grudge against the Brits influenced that decision just a tad?
Especially since we'd been fighting them on the borders just prior?
And, note to prior question: DeGaulle was most influential = only because he set the tone for the last half of the 20th century and today's Americans were there to watch it.
Perhaps if France could pull it's collective head out of the 18th century......
They were just trying to stick it to Britain.
It wasn't for some noble vision.
The French helped America in the Revolutionary War because, in so doing, they were hurting their hated British enemy.
After America won it's independence, the first nation that the United States of America had to fight against was France.
As a result, the U.S. Navy received it's baptism of fire against a French enemy.
Quasi-War with France 1798-1801
February 5, 1799: The USS Constellation capturing the French 36-gun frigate L'Insurgente off the Island of Nevis in the West Indies.