Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] [MLUG][DISCUSSION] Another reason not to be like France

[Stephen Montgomery-Smith <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

Mike Miller wrote:
> On Wed, 16 Apr 2008, Stephen Montgomery-Smith wrote:
>
> > It all started in 1572 .....
> >
> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Bartholomew's_Day_Massacre
>
> Check this out...
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolutionary_War
>
> US:
> Regular Army: 20,000
> Militiamen: 230,000
> Ships: 30-40, mostly frigates and sloops
>
> France:
> Regular Army: 15,000
> Ships: 50-60 ships of the line and frigates
>
> Spain:
> Regular Army: 8,000
> Ships: 40-50 ships of the line and frigates
>
> Total: 273,000
> 120-150 ships
>
>
> Great Britain:
> Regular Army: 12,000
> Ships: 100 ships of the line and frigates
>
> Loyaltists:
> Militia: 55,000
>
> Hesse:
> Regulars: 40,000
>
> Iroquois:
> Warriors: 5,000
>
> Total: 112,000
> 100 ships
>
>
> The Americans defeated the British with a *lot* of help from France. 
> Almost half of the ships fighting against the British were French.
>
> A little more on the importance of France in the American Revolution:
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolutionary_War#An_international_war.2C_1778.E2.80.931783 

And (given my British nationality), this is supposed to make me love the 
French more, how?

Anyway. looking further down the seondc web page, it suggests that the 
large debt incurred by France played a large role in cuasing the Frnch 
Revolution.  So the French helping the Americans with their revolution 
ironically led to a revolution on their own soil.  The whole thing 
should be seen as even more disastrous for the British.  Having just 
lost the American colonies, a few decades later they would have to deal 
with Napoleon.  Of course, all the better for America, because America 
could buy Louisiana (and even Missouri) for a steal, to help Napoleon 
finance his war effort!

Napoleon Bonaparte, upon completion of the agreement, stated, "This 
accession of territory affirms forever the power of the United States, 
and I have given England a maritime rival who sooner or later will 
humble her pride."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_purchase

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