The history of Versailles bond to America’s Freedom
This week, we are shaking things up a bit, and making this Versailles centered podcast all about AMERICA. This week is a very special episode about France becoming America’s first ally, and how France, like any good big sister, made sure that they were going to get something out of it.
In 1774, France got their newest king, Louis XVI. And while Louis had inherited a bit of a mess, he was determined to make the best of the situation. His idea of this was to restore balance in the world European Monarchies (take England down a peg).
While France was eager for a British defeat, the country was in absolute ruin. Nearly 25 straight years of war between France and England had left Louis apprehensive about the idea of and outright war. But in saunters Silas Deane, a commercial agent of America.
Silas Deane was in charge of obtaining support from France, but because Louis was still not entirely convinced that it was the right time for France to support America. Instead Deane convinces Louis to secretly support the war. Silas also rubs elbows and gains sympathy for the American cause with some of the most important figures to aid the continental army; Baron Von Steuden, Marquis de Lafayette, and Baron de Kalb. However, Silas is accused of skimming off the top and was joined/replaced by the Amercian Rockstar Ben Franklin in 1775.
Something to think about, while France is thirsty for a win over England, it’s not necessarily a great idea for an Absolutist power to openly support the rebellion against an opposing Monarchy. BUT it is a great idea if you want to remove England’s access to raw resources that a colony can provide. It’s also perfect for an ailing country like France to open unofficial trade routes with the colony providing said resources. Two birds!
Because Silas is under suspicion, Congress sends him with two other appointed agents, Aurthur Lee and Benjamin Franklin. Because of his writings, inventions, and overall reputation, Ben walks into a very excited Versailles. Women are dressed in “lightning bolt” dresses, and courtiers are conversing with him in English. He is a sort of downtrodden hero that the nobles are idolizing in plays and books. It’s also important to note, revolutions are all the rage right now. I don’t think I have any words for this baffoonary. But France did not want Independence for America, they wanted revenge against England.
Ben’s presence at Versailles bugged England to no end. He was low key convincing French authorities to not only continue supplying men, arms, means to the continental army, he convinced them to increase their support. He didn’t do this by meetings, or hoity toity conversations. He managed to obtain extreme support by means of Covert Action.
Covert Action is defined by Wikipedia as “A covert operation is a military operation that's intended to conceal the identity of or allow plausible denial by the sponsor.”
The CIA’s website credits Franklin as the creator of covert action, because of his performance with the ladies at Versailles. He was known as “Mon Cher Papa” and frequented parties, balls, and salons. So, he is apart of the French society, rubbing elbows with everyone in what seems to be a very laxed setting, and on the flip side, he is preaching about America and her ideal’s. All while negotiating treaties for the franco-american alliances.
In our story, we have reached the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but that isn’t at Versailles, so SKIP.
In 1778 the treaties of Alliance and Commerce are signed by America and France, and Ben Franklin became the first foreign minister for America.
The same year, John Adams made a little trip to France with his wife in tow, and man was he upset about all the fun Ben was having. Fortunately He was only there for a little. Meanwhile we know about Marie Antoinette’s spending, and Louis issues with financial ministers didn’t make the money situation any better. Flip flopping was invented here. During the years before America’s official break from England, tensions in France rose. The price of bread crept higher and while there were attempts made to “help” the French people, too many mistakes were made. If France’s Naval fleet (led by Comte de Grasse) hadn’t secured a final defeat of the British Army at the Battle of Yorktown(1781), we may have gotten a French Revolution almost a decade sooner. After the Yorktown battle, England sent representatives to negotiate the terms of the Peace of Paris, and being the good representatives that they were, Ben, John Adams, and John Jay scared Britain into a pretty sweet deal for America. Keeping trade routes open to England from America, acknowledgement of America’s authenticity as a country, and keeping the superpowers of Europe off of young America’s back. All in the name of keeping the Ottoman empire from taking over.
After America won, and the terms were sufficiently beneficial enough for everyone, England was forced to sign the treaty to prove it’s incompetence in the war. There was quite a neener neener in there from France, essentially the articles in the PoP make it very clear who has the better navy. This is in 1783, a full 5 years after France declares it’s love for America, and only 6 away from the fete nationale (Bastille Day). Ben eventually gave up his post in Versailles (just in time) to Thomas Jefferson, who apparently has no real interest in French culture(then why is he there???)
And that is our story about Versailles and the American Revolution.
The Americans say the Revolutionary war was won because the English were incapable
The English say they weren’t interested enough to fight the Americans
The French believe America should credit their Freedom to Frances support.
And like a good American I believe that we should credit our current Freedom to Frances support.
In 2016 there was an exhibition at Versailles commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
In 1782, Russia came to visit Versailles, and weirdly copied Versailles architecture and furniture.
Louis had the “Franklin Chimney” installed at Versailles.
When Ben Franklin died in 1790, France took an official day of mourning.