The relations of France and the United States have been a part of international politics since the seventeenth century, before the United States had gained independence. French colonies were spread in considerable parts of United States territory, along with those of the English. Aggression between the two started due to regular fights between the English and the French over religion. In the second half of the eighteenth century, the French initially supported the Americans for independence, supplying arms, ammunitions and soldiers. After continuous defeat in serial wars with the British, the French were eventually expelled from their colonies in United States.

After agreeing with the United States over different trade options, the relations of France and the United States became stronger. France decided to support the United States in its fight for independence. Due to back tracking, the French Admiral in the fight against British forces created a sense of doubt in the minds of American forces, which soured the relations of France and the United States. But in the battle of the Chesapeake, the French Navy defeated the British Navy, which helped the Americans win the decisive battle of Yorktown.

After being a strong ally of the United States in its fight against the British for independence, the history of relations of France and United States took a new turn. A decade after the United States gained independence, France was once again attacked by British. Despite France’s request to the United States for its support in the war according to an earlier treaty, the United States did not assist France in the war and remained neutral. In order to avenge this slight, the French did not assist during the War of 1812, when the British once again occupied areas of the United States and demanded heavy ransoms from the American government. When France was repeatedly summoned for help, it too asked the United States for security payoffs.

One can observe from the history of the two nations that their relations have seen several ups and downs, depending on the political situations in both countries. This behavior of uncertainty in the relations of France and the United States has also been observed in the recent past. During the tenure of President Jacques Chirac, the relations of France and the United States were frigid, as the French government openly disagreed with many of US President George W. Bush’s policies. On the other hand, in recent years, the new French President Nicholas Sarkozy has had quite warm relations with Bush.