Do you think Lafayette deserved to be named an honorary citizen of the United States?

[Julie4]

[ImHere22]

I believe Lafayette should've been named a real citizen of the U. S. and immediately been made U. S. president instead of that 'catch a cold and die' Washington. George was the largest slaveholder in the colonies then the U. S. and we regard him with such blind obsession. He literally wanted nothing to do with the rest of the world once the Revolution was over, even after France sent envoys asking for help, like a 'hey I helped you, can you now come help me?'

Lafayette was more of a fighter for what the U. S. was built on than some of the actual drafters of the Constitution and Bill o' Rights. He tried to cement our relationship with France. We owe our very existence to that nation, and yet, we have a 'special relationship' with England... who came back to the East Coast in 1812 and burned down the White House and much of D. C. Yet, we forgave in the name of trade relations and even though France had been there from the beginning, we've never supported France the way we unflinchingly support England, our previous owners.

[Julie4]

I say this as a Frenchwoman, but our help to the American independence, was not only to defend the idea of Liberty (Lafayette came only for this cause) the King saw the opportunity to avenge the humiliation we suffered against England, during the seven years war.

The worst thing for France is that the USA signed a trade treaty with the UK and not with France 😭😂

Oh let's say that culturally it's not unjustified that you're close to the English and you intervened in two world wars which shows that the usa was largely grateful.

[Oliverlogan263]

Honestly yeah, Lafayette totally deserved to be named an honorary citizen of the US. The dude was like the biggest champion for America when we were fighting the Revolutionary War. Here's what he did:

- He believed in our cause of freedom and independence when we were just a ragtag group of rebels taking on the British Empire. That took some serious balls.

- With his own money and resources, he bought a ship and recruited dudes to come fight for us. Didn't have to do that!

- Fought alongside General Washington during some crucial battles. Took arrows for the cause, almost died a couple times.

- Used his status in France to lobby their government for recognition and military aid. Helped turn the tide our way.

- Never asked for anything in return, just wanted to see America win our freedom. Total badass patriot.

So after all that he did to help birth our country when we needed it most, making Lafayette an honorary citizen was the least we could do to honor his commitment. Dude bled for America like one of our own. We'd be singing God Save the Queen if not for him. He's forever one of the Boys in my book! Total badass that Lafayette.

[Jamie05rhs]

👏👏👏

[ZackBan]

This man's biography reads like one of the most amazing stories about trials and tribulations as well as the survival of virtue during troubling times.

I don't think anyone has had more of an impact on modern western society. He's known as the hero of two worlds for a reason.

He definitely deserves an honorary citizenship, and even deserved an actual citizenship back when he was alive. But being a french noble I think he had his work cut out for him without adding in Ameican politics.

[Avicenna]

More than just an honorary one- without Lafayette's contributions, France probably would not have aided the US, and certainly not to the extent that it did, meaning that the US would not have won its independence (he was also a military hero). Lafayette is a hero, something that earlier generations in the US knew well- General John Pershing, who commanded US troops in Europe during WWI, said upon his arrival in France in 1917, "Lafayette, we are here!".

[NamerOfStars]

I don't know about "deserved", but I don't understand how he could've been, since he was granted citizenship by Maryland, and thus the US, while he was still alive. You can't give citizenship to someone who's already a citizen, unless there's some weird option I'm unaware of.

[RavVid]

Can't say I know much about Lafayette and the honor could/would have been highly political. As much to recognize France's aide as Lafayette's personal contribution.

Delving no further, I think Lafayette's professional skill's would have had to be of considerable benefit. I will look forward to reading American views.

[Jersey2]

Yes. Towns in the US are even named after him. Beyond all his help with France, he was a freedom loving, gun toting, shoot ‘em up kind of guy… so definitely American.

[KostasKouvalis]

That would be cool. I don't think it really matters though since he dead, so what does HE care?

[Julie4]

He was appointed in 2002 or 2003

[KostasKouvalis]

OH!!! That was nice of us

[SotiCoto]

With hair like that?

... Wait. That is probably a wig. Nevermind then. Sure.

[msc545]

No, he was far too decent a man to have that done to him.

[Drewtate]

Yes. Helped us defeat the British.

[Jamie05rhs]

Absolutely! That dude was awesome!

[RyanEC]

He should have been in my opinion.

[KatherineJ]

Absolutely!

[noohair]

Why not?

[pethouse]

His head wack