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There have been issues going all the back to the 1700s. They have always considered themselves a superior culture with strong history and a major place in the world. However, ever since WWII that has been fading. While not a 3rd world nation by any means, France's effectivity is not nearly what it once was today, even in the 1960s. Gallic pride has not moderated to match. Recent examples include statements made how the new members of the EU should listen to their betters, the flame fest over the EU constitution, and some of the discord at UN and other international meetings when French was not spoken, even by French nationals. The Americans have nothing on the French when it comes to nationalism
During WWI, France considered the Americans as little more than cannon fodder. They declared that US troops would be used as replacements in French units. Gen Pershing disagreed and with the backing of the American government kept the Americans together as large units. In retaliation, the French declined to share Maxim guns and other military technology that would have made the US units more effective and saved lives. They also shorted US units on supplies and placed in the worst positions, be it for combat or garrison duty. This was not forgotten by the US military, even today. They only grudgingly admitted the material resources that turned the tide.
France dictated the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, and even after WWII argued for reinstating some of its terms. De Gaulle and the Free French argued for co-equal status with the rest of the allies and superior stature over the other Governments in exile for not other reason than they were France. While they did not like having to be support by the British, to have the Americans dictating terms and running the war was at times more than they could bear. Some of the writings from that era, from all sides, seem almost humorous today, but provide a great deal of insight. De Gaulle dramatics and Churchill's scheming. A good read for history buffs.
Most WWII soldiers were from rural areas. Some had never seen NYC let alone another country. They only spoke english, and some not even that well. There was not all that much fraternization with US troops and the local populace, the exception being the US Army Air Corps which was based in the UK. The US troops while well behaved (no significant rape/pillage/plunder) showed no deference to the French, and in many ways treated the Germans better, at least in the eyes of the French. Another mortal insult from Americans. There was considerable merit to the perception. The Americans looked at the French as a nation we were bailing out for the second time in a generation. Americans viewed the French as arrogant losers who refused to acknowledge that they owed their existence to the US. That the US spent much more on the rebuilding of Germany and did not adequatley punish them in eyes of France, dit not help either.
Post WWII Paris, the residents and the French government assumed the attitude that the war had never happened. This could be done since Paris was basically unscathed. Vichy, Resistance fighters, traitors, etc after a short flurry, were basically ignored. Anything that reminded them of the humiliation was pushed to the background. The famous French bureaucracy, continued to run the country, something it had done during the war as well.
Americans in France up through the early 60s were mostly dealing with people who had lived through WWII. They treated Americans through those eyes. Most Americans could not understand that, since our sense of history is about 5 years deep, and by and large we as individuals do not treat people by their nationality. A more interesting point is the next generation, who while disliking America is actually much more amenable to Americans. This is supported in polls as well. They deal well with us as individuals, but think poorly of the country.
Back to my parents, who lived in Germany at the time. Dad was an army medical officer, who spoke French and German fluently. Mom was fluent in German and passable in French. However, there was no mistaking either of them for anything but Americans, especially mom. In the stories handed down, there all sort of examples of them being ignored or constructively misunderstood esp in Paris. The countryside was much friendlier, and they loved the Côte d'Azur, where there were never any issues.
My attitude is somewhat different. I starting taking French in elementary school, since it was the language of diplomacy, at the insistence of my mother. I went to school in Europe and was fluent in French, though with a Swiss accent. I also watched the dominance of English take over the Continent and the world. The Swedes, Germans, Italians and others were fine with it, but the French government resisted and continue to, insisting on French created cultural item (movies...) and protecting the "official" French language with the L'Academe Francaise. Part of me empathizes, part of me finds it amusing that there are those who think that government fiat is going to control cultural forces.
The issues with the Qubecois are a microcosm of what France has experienced as the western provinces of Canada are emerging as the power houses of the nation and the Province of Quebec is becoming more of a backwater.
I still go to Europe today, keep in touch with those I know there, French, German, Swiss and in the UK. We are welcome in each others homes, but at least with our Parisian friends, be don't talk politics. Unlike my mother, I did not require my children to learn French, since it is really receding in importance. One of my kids decided that Spanish was important and nearly fluent. The other is less skilled in languages and settled for computer languages instead.
Did not mean to write so long, but its lunchtime...and this is a topic of personal interest.
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