Do you think it's fair that France should be called a coward?

[Anonymous]

[Lliam]

The French people are descendants of Romanized Celts. The Celts were bad ass.
Germanic tribes migrated there and settled after the fall of the Roman Empire, but they didn't displace the Celts.

The Normans, who conquered England, were Norsemen who settled in France and took on its language and culture.

Charlemagne, from the Frankish Germanic tribe that settled in France, united France and became the first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The country is named after the Franks.

Napoleon was French.

I hate imperialism and colonialism, but I will say that France was one of the great colonial powers with colonies in Indochina, Africa and North America.

Between 1778 and 1782 the French provided supplies, arms and ammunition, uniforms, and, most importantly, troops and naval support to the beleaguered Continental Army.

They were a great naval power.

The French were the first European people to throw off monarchy and become a republic.

A handful of British aristocrats engineered WWI in order to maintain industrial and global trade dominance over Germany. But France suffered the brunt of that war. The French fought valiantly.

France suffered again after it allied with England to declare war on Germany in WWII. It's government capitulated, but the French resistance fought on.

Anglophiles may believe that English are superior to everyone. But despite many desperate attempts over the centuries, England never managed to conquer France.

Nobody thought the French were pussies until the U. S. got pissed when France refused to join "the coalition of the willing" in destroying Iraq.

But is the U. S. called a coward for failing to conquer North Korea in the 1950s, or for losing to the Vietnamese in 1973 or to the Taliban in 2020, or for using high tech air power, drones and missiles instead of troops to attack weak targets from a safe distance?

I have to add that I wish the American people would get some balls and follow the example of the courageous French people in protesting en mass when the government pulls some bullshit. The French people don't put up with shit from their government.

[RingOfFire]

Let's face it, ALL of Europe only exists because of the enormous generosity, heroism and sacrifice of the American people and military who saved them not once but twice from German Nazism and has been their only protection from the evil forces of the world which seek to overtake them for the last 105 years.

And after all the American sacrifice of their treasure and lives for the Europeans' freedom, the Europeans, like an ungrateful child, dare to call Americans warmongers and whine about our "obsession" with military strength, capitalism and free enterprise that are the very backbone of what separates all of Europe from destruction and enslavement to this very day.

The Europeans party and play, living the good life at the expense of America who is carrying them on their back.

[purplepoppy]

No it's not. The criticism tends to come from the USA, a country that's never been bombed or invaded and the UK who's never been invaded since 1797. France was simply out gunned and outmaneuvered in WW2. To call them a coward is an insult to those who fought in the resistance. Remember it was the British who ran away at Dunkirk.

[Iron_Man]

Are you kidding me you try to take over the whole United States your country and we spanked you and dumped all your tea into the Boston river you’ve got to be kidding me don’t be prejudice please

[Iron_Man]

And you wanted to tax us

[Iron_Man]

And look what you did to poor Scotland watch the movie Braveheart. The only reason that you’re friends with us now because we’re the most powerful country in the world and will protect you

[purplepoppy]

Britain did not try and take over the USA because it didn't exist at the time. America was a British territory, hence the war technically a civil war. Actually it was just a minor sideline war, one part of the bigger real war with France. Incidentally it was an American/French fleet that invaded Wales in 1797 and got their asses kicked by a bunch of WOMEN. The last time British fought Americans was in the Falkland wars back in 1988 when militia joined Argentina to have a pop at the British. It didn't work out well for them.

[Iron_Man]

lol 😂 you are so funny

[DarkLegacy]

@Iron_Man We did not try and take over the USA. It never existed back then. And we let you win

[Iron_Man]

@DarkLegacy boo hoo no way

[BCA6010]

In this day and age, I have more respect for France's military than most of our other allies. They get hit with dumb old jokes a lot in part because they did nothing for us in Iraq and Afghanistan, but that's ignoring the fact they were almost single-handedly carrying the combat operations across Africa at the same time, and quietly involved with Syria.

The actual modern problem with France is Macron and his government. He is power-hungry and seems willing to start a major war to try and preserve his station. I think the only reason more attention isn't put on this worldwide is because the rest of western Europe (as well as Canada and the US) are all on the same page.

[RavVid]

Who is calling France coward? France/Macron is pretty vigorously rebuffing Putin at this point and I think is stiffening Western Europe resolve.

In WW2 the french gov't let France down badly and you could argue the gov't was cowardly. Is that the back story to the question?

[NamerOfStars]

How, exactly, did they "let France down'? The country had lost an entire generation winning the last war for everyone else, and trying to fight probably would've meant dying en masse; it's not like the Nazis thought themselves above that kind of thing.

[RavVid]

@NamerOfStars It is just not true France fought WW1 for everybody else. Australia and New Zealand had the highest casualty rates in WW1 and we are on the opposite side of the earth. I drive into Ballarat through an Avenue of Honor that is 20 miles long. That is just the men who were killed but many more were maimed for life let alone traumatized.

Every Australian country hamlet has an Avenue of Honor and a cenotaph. Enlistment was about 10% and casualties rates were 65%. WW1 wreaked havoc even though half the worlds circumference away.

You don't think the UK didn't have high casualties? Or nearer to your home, Canada?

It was called a world war because most of the world was fighting in it.

[Asker]

Do you know how many people died in France during the First World War, and the damage caused by the German attack on our soil, compared to the USA, the UK and even Australia? Because the Germans obviously didn't send the bulk of their troops to Australia.

Consequently, the consequences of the German attack on our soil, whether economic, in terms of resources, etc., were far greater than for those of the United Kingdom, the United States, etc.

Now, the First World War was a victory for the Allies, where everyone made enormous sacrifices, and we must respect each other's memory.

France could not have won the First World War alone. But in the Second World War, France was much weaker than the other two great Western powers, which didn't have to suffer as much damage to their soil and loss of life.

[NamerOfStars]

Australia lost about sixty thousand people, mostly due to a foolish attempt to invade Turkey. France, which played host to most of the war in the west, lost a million and a half, and had large chunks of its territory blasted into ruin. There are STILL, more than a century after the fact, unexploded artillery shells hidden below the surface of the French soil, waiting to go off when some poor farmer runs a plow over them.

France WON that war; the rest of the Allies just did the mopping up.

[RavVid]

I was disagreeing that France won WWI not suggesting that France was not ravaged both economically and by loss of men's lives. Nearly every man of military age was mobilized up to a very generous 50 which amounted to about 8 million. Actual fighting troops were more about 2.5 million - there is a support tail in every army and it was fairly un-mechanized back then. Lots of mules and horses and mule and horse drivers. So 3 support men for each front line soldier is not unreasonable. We just need to be careful not to think 8 million mobilized is necessarily 8 million fighting troops.

If you add up troops the UK conscripted it was less but with colones and dominions it was about the same investment. Personally I resent videos referring to British troops but clearly show Australian troops. I also think it is sad that India is not recognized for it's contribution - even by Indians. 1.3 million volunteers plus Gurkhas!

The reason for me referencing Australia & NZ was really to make the point it was scarcely a one country show.. At nearly half the earth's circumference distance to Paris i thought it neatly illustrated the world wide nature of WWI and the defence of France.

[NaultD]

No absolute not.

Over zealot is a more appropriate discretion. The nazi blitz krige blasting miles of trees with artillery before cutting off france main military force caused the front line to surrender while preserving the main land center culture. That was impossible by ever strangest.

If the nazi didn't cut off france at the opening gambit of ww2. France would be the top dog in the reagan. It is the only reason why Normandy was such a big deal for the union to gain ground.

[Knightwatch27]

Depends on what we refer to. France did display some cowardice in the World Wars, like being afraid to fire at the enemy at the Maginot line "for fear of retaliation" and such. But on the overall scale, France has won most wars in world history, followed by the UK so France is obviously not permanent cowards.

[Asker]

No, France was not a coward in the First World War.

And where was Sweden during the two world wars?

As for the rest, I even know where you get the figure that France is the country with the most military victories. Honestly, it doesn't seem realistic to me.

[Knightwatch27]

I don't care about Sweden, the question was on France. Don't be so easily offended. It doesn't make you right.

[Asker]

That doesn't make you right either 😉

[Knightwatch27]

No, being right makes me right.

[Asker]

You can say anything as many times as you like, but it doesn't make it true.

[Knightwatch27]

Dito, my dear french nationalist.

[Asker]

Is nationalism a bad thing for you?

[Knightwatch27]

To love and celebrate your country objectively, and on the other hand to accept nothing else but praise and lash out as soon as the slightest critique is presented are two different versions of nationalism.

[Asker]

I mean, if by saying I'm a nationalist you think I think France is the best country in history, blah, blah, blah, that's not the case, that's not what I think.

And I have friends who have visited your country, they liked it very much.

[Knightwatch27]

Then do practice not hopping on "whataboutism" as soon as I offer a mere fact about France in the World Wars.

[Asker]

I like it when you try to make it seem like what you say are authoritative arguments and the absolute truth. Your words become gospel?

If we don't agree with you, we are nationalists? My God. You must think the world is full of nationalists.

[Knightwatch27]

Lol we're done here

[Iron_Man]

Ok ✅

[Anonymous]

The French Government - Yes. they are supposed to be dealing with the Illegal migrants along the English Channel Coast and (are being paid to do so by the British Government) are failing to do so.
The French People - No, like most countries how they are seen internationally is coloured by the actions of their Government.

[strateguy632]

now? absolutely, macron talked about sending troops to aid ukraine, but too coward to actually do it.

on the other hand he didn't say he would, just he maybe.

[Theodoricus]

Sorry ma'am, but yes. Of course! The French only loves having sex and wine. On the other hand, Germany has truly brave men and women who only can protect all Europe.

Deutschland über alles! <3

[DarkLegacy]

Not really. The Nazis practically took over every country. We were aided by the channel. The French have a long standing history of fighting wars and some very successfully.

[Dargil]

The Army tanks they build only have reverse gear.

[exitseven]

My WW2 vet father used to say that France was the best ally that Hitler ever had.

[handsomelad70]

The Vichy "government" was composed of traitors who I believe were executed for their cowardice.

[Goahead76]

I think the US is on track for losing more wars in a row than any others in modern times and probably deserves the title of incompetence.

[msc545]

No. It started when France very wisely refused to send troops or otherwise support the illegal war in Iraq.

[OtterMan68]

If not for France, the The American Revolution may not have succeeded.

[RyanEC]

No.


House who say that don’t know history.

[RyanEC]

I meant those. 😅

[AviatorTom]

French people are unique.

[Asker]

Yeah 😂

[AviatorTom]

@julie4 Just Curious... Would there have been a successful French Revolution if the American Revolution hadn't happened a few years earlier, letting the French people know that "it can be done"?

[Asker]

I don't know, I think so, but it's hard to say '.

The French revolution took place partly because of the help France gave to the USA.

[msc545]

Would there be a United States if the French had not assisted and supported the Continental Army?

[abc3643]

No, of course not.

[12karen]

Pretty fair in my opinion

[Iron_Man]

No, why would they be called that?

[RebelinSteel]

Eh why?

[Asker]

That's what the Anglo-Saxons think, isn't it?

[RebelinSteel]

I think only the English have the right to say it, however we don’t believe it, it’s a general piss take. We know how the French fight more than any other nation. The French have always fought bravely, they are 100% not cowards.
Now that does not mean we won’t take the piss out of them.
Other countries saying it know fuck all about it and really can’t say anything.

[Asker]

That's why the English are our best enemy 😂

[RebelinSteel]

lol there is that. Some random facts.
France is the US oldest Ally.
For England (and therefore UK) our oldest is Portugal, from about 1147, although the official treaty is 1373/ 1386.
Anyhow, nope the French are a proud and brave country.
In football parlance, they lost nearly all away games and do not have a good home record.

[Asker]

So I can't accept being criticized by an Englishman about soccer 😂 what's the last big trophy won by our English friends? 😅

[RebelinSteel]

@julie4 I was trying to be polite about it lol. We are crap at football.

[Asker]

No, you have great individual players. But you don't have a team. And France isn't playing any better than England in this Euro.

[LordMadara]

🖕🏽 France

[Anonymous]

Yes. Wait. What for?