What if Louis XVI had not supported the American War of Independence ?

Question

....he might just have saved his crown and inadvertently helped George III keep his American colonies. I do not know enough about the American War of Independence to know if the French influenced the outcome, but if it did it kind of makes ol' Louis the accidental architect of Liberty, no?

Which is ironic coz Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness were denied to him and his family by the revolutionaries

Answer 1

If Louis had not intervened, it probably would only have forestalled (but not prevented) both American Independence and the French Revolution.

There can be no doubt that French assistance aided the American cause. The French fleet at the Battle of Yorktown was decisive in bringing an end to the conflict. But don't forget. the Americans also had aid from the Spanish and the Dutch as well.

Furthermore, the war with America was turning decidedly unpopular in England. And the cost to Britain in men and money was also quite extensive. The British wanted to fight conventional set-piece battles that the Americans would not do. Instead, the Americans fought an unconventional guerilla war to which the British could never adjust. It is highly unlikely that Britain could have secured the entire American colonies; thus the war would have dragged on years more, but the result would have been the same.

Likewise the French. The inherent injustices and extravagences of the Ancien Regime would have undone Louis eventually. The weaknesses of the regime had nothing to do with aiding America. The only thing aiding America did was increase the taxes which had a more immediate effect on causing the powder keg to explode. But in the long run, if it hadn't been one thing it would undoubtedly been another. The entire system of Absolutism was already outmoded by the time of the revolution, and could never have lasted in the 19th century.

Answer 2

Yes, it is ironic that Louis XVI helped America and lost his crown due in part to the economic stress the cost of the American war put on his treasury.

But if America did not have France's help, we would not have won. France wanted to help us more to fight the British than anything else. They wanted the British spheres of influence in the New World and hoped their involvement would profit them by driving the British out.

However, as far as Louis being an "artichect" - France officially declared it would help the American colonies after the Declaration of Independence had been signed and the American Revolution had begun. They waited until the Americans had a victory (Saratoga 1777), before aiding the American cause.

I would say Louis XVI was more like an accidental "godfather" of Liberty rather than an architect.

Answer 3

There is an alternate history book, "For Want of a Nail" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Want_of_a_Nail) that addresses this very situation. France was definite eager to avenge their defeat to Great Britain in the Seven Year's War and was willing to intervene in the American Revolution, but under the condition that the Continentals had a chance of winning. After the Battle of Saratoga showed that the Continental army could defeat the Regulars on the battlefield, France declared war with Great Britain and began to aid the newly-recognised United States.

Robert Sobel's book gives a very detailed version of events that would follow British General Burgoyne's victory at Saratoga. Without a victory there, the Continentals were not supported by the French and the Rebellion came to a halt in 1778. A revised system of government took place in North America, forming the Confederation of North America, with Burgoyne as Governor-General.

France's fate would be different as a treasury not as depleted by wars and the lack of a model revolution prevented the French Revolution from being successful. The Bourbon dynasty would remain on the French throne for the foreseeable future.

Sobel's book is very fascinating as it goes up to the early 1970's, when the book was originally published. Highly recommended reading. A synopsis of the alternate time-line can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_in_For_Want_of_a_Nail.

Answer 4

We'd all be speaking English and driving on the left.......


Between 1588 and 2006, the ONLY time a British fleet declined to engage the enemy was when Graves turned away from the French off the mouth of the Chesapeake, leaving the besieged Cornwallis at Yorktown no choice but to surrender to Washington's American AND French army....

Answer 5

Well, that would have done him no good whatsoever then seeing as how I think the main reason to pump money into the revolution was to spite England in the first place.

But don't take my word for it, I've been out of school for a long time.

Answer 6

Duh... We'd be Canada!!!