French Pique and Piques Françaises

Abstract

If there is something that can be called anti-Americanism, the French variety goes back a long way, to the end of the eighteenth century, when France hoped that its contribution to American independence would translate into a special relationship. It was never able to achieve this and has never understood its failure. Since then, a very peculiar love-hate relationship has characterized French attitudes toward and dealings with the United States, based on both misunderstandings and conflicting interests. It has varied in different periods and among the various groups of French society. Recently it has been paradoxical to note that Gaullism, whatever its supposed anti-American content, has meant a more serene and mature French attitude toward the United States. A basic source of conflict remains, however, in the cultural area. The French thirst for the universality of its values has resulted in a profound divide between fascination with and rejection of the competitive democratic values that the United States is seeking to project.