[pepsionice]

The French contribution at the end of the Revolutionary is always understated...yet if examined...their fleet being up near New York at the right time...the logistical help provided...the several thousand French troops being there for Washington...all made the difference. If no victory had occured at Yorktown...the war goes on for at least two more years and the Brits could have eventually taken the south and divided the entire country. The amusing thing...is that congress kicked the French out almost immedately and really didn't repay them at all. The French expected the peace treaty to give them Canada. They would have owned all of Canada and the Louisiana region, thus surrounding the American nation.

[yankeedame]

...The amusing thing...is that congress kicked the French out almost immedately and really didn't repay them at all...

The amusing thing-- in a horrifying sort of way-- is just how wrong this statement is. For one thing, we didn't "kick out" any French troops after the Revolution. Morally and physcially, how could we? Besides the vast majority of support from the French was in material, not manpower. Besides, with La Belle France on the verge of revolution itself, most French soldiers understandably lit out for home.

Second of all, yes, we did pay the French back for money they loaned us. The fly in the ointment was that after the first few installements the monarchy fell and the National Assembly -- with its accompanying stalinistic "cleansing", and establishment of "sleeper cells" (a.k.a. "political clubs") in America-- took over.
To whom it we owe the money? The government that issued the loan, but was now no more? Or the new government- completely opposite/opposed to that which okayed the loan?