Do Americans really hate the French for not joining in their war?

Question

I wondered if this was a common misconception. Or is that 'Freedom Fries' instead of French fries crap really true?
If it is true and people argue that, 'We saved their butts in World War 2,' why don’t they say ‘Thanks for helping us in our original war for independence and we respect your politics are different than ours.

Answer 1

Viva le difference!

Sometimes Americans have the thinking of "If you are not with me, then you are against me." However, France is an independant sovereignty; and its choices should be respected.

We cannot force France to support our every whim.

Answer 2

As a longtime francophile, a student in Paris in the 'sixties, I no doubt am the wrong person to respond to your post. I honestly do not know why some Americans speak ill of France and the French. The "Freedom Fries" nonsense was a right-wing politician's pandering to his political base, and ten years from today his name and his schoolboy prank will be no more than a passing mention in obscure history books, if that. Only a few Americans know of the role France played in the American Revolution, that, for whatever political reason, France aided what was then the losing side. Had the aid been denied, the United States would have stayed British for awhile longer, and the English hangman would have been busy. As to the two world wars, it is true that the Brits and Yanks and Canadians were there, and bravely so, but, you see, France was our ally. Keep in mind that the French Resistance also had more than a bit to do with matters in World War II. Not a day passes when this 71-year-old Shakespearean actor does not think of Paris, it arts, its beauty, its remarkable, sometimes irascible citizens.

Answer 3

No, we don't hate the French. I think many Americans were frustrated and some politicians lashed out by changing the name of French fries in their cafeteria to Freedom Fries. However, over time those feelings have died down.

However, there will always be stereotypes in America of French people and France of Americans. It was around before the war in Iraq and it will be around long after it. Even though we both have common traditions of Democracy, we have very different cultures that don't always understand each other. But, I want to say I am thankful that the French helped us out back in our war for Independence and I hope we can rebuild some of our ties.

Answer 4

The more I learn about French politics in the past100/150 years the less I like their government.
The French had an opportunity to prevent WW1 from spreading beyond Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, and Serbia but they ignored Germany's warning to stay out of the war and mobilized anyways.
WW2, can be traced back to the Treaty of Versailles which, hey guess what, was heavily influenced by Clemenceau, the French Prime Minister who wanted to make sure Germany would never be a threat again. That really worked well didn't it. The huge mess he made of Germany allowed a group like the Nazi's to rise to power.
Let's not forget Vietnam, a country who had been an ally during WW2 and wanted their freedom from France, leading to the Vietnam War where thousands lost their lives on both sides.

Answer 5

Someone described France and America as bickering lovers. Many Americans tend to generalize the French as arrogant snobs, or as cowards.
Personally, I don't hate or dislike the French at all. I have been to France several times and have not been mistreated at all. I think the French have their own domestic problems and of course the French are looking out for themselves as we (the Americans) are. You guys have a huge amount of Muslims in you country. You guys had riots for like two weeks after 2 Muslim youths got electrocuted trying to run from the police. If you guys went with us to Iraq, there would be suicide bombings in Paris as we speak. That Freedom Fries thing is really stupid as well as the pouring out of French wine. I am not a liberal by any means, but I like to think I am a little worldly and understand why you guys did what you did. We have to remember that the US should not get our way at the expense of our allies. (PS.... your food is fantastic. How do you guys stay so thin?)

Answer 6

I don't hate the French, but I'm not fond of Parisians. People are nice in the other parts of the country. I never did the "freedom fries" thing because I didn't see any point.

Answer 7

It's not "America's War." According to our Constitution there must be a declaration of war signed by Congress. The so called President is a TRAITOR and any country that backs him up is either idiotic or criminal rats themselves. Bush's war strategy is based on a document (PNAC) that was written in Israel as Israeli policy, by Wolfowitz and Libby, who both have Israeli/American dual citizenship. Of course if Bush were pushing China's agenda I wouldn't be called a racist against Chinese people for objetcing. SInce it's Israel we all have to just shut up and keep our "anti semitic" peace ideology to ourselves. This is CR@P!! You don't see Israel sending their army to Iraq. No, they'd much rather see Americans send OUR children to fight their wars for them. What would Americans be doing if Georgie Porgie was a double agent for China instead? If OUR President pushed China's agenda at the expense of AMerican's life, liberty and HAPPINESS things would be different right now. He would be in jail already.

Answer 8

I don't hate the french for not joining the war. I would much rather them stay home and make the wines and croissants. That way, the french troops don't get in the way of real soldiers.

Answer 9

Why do so many Americans think Sarkozy is a "more conservative" government. He was a member of Chirac's cabinet and is representing the same party.
What do they think he represents that is different to Chirac?

Answer 10

i think its more the fact that the french spoke badly of america than anything else and yes i do remember freedom fries lol! but also something that irked me was a group of french college student on a documentary running down america and its people