France (officially the French Republic) is a country in Western Europe. It also includes various departments and territories of France overseas
Relevant History[]
6th September 1757 - Marquis de Lafayette is born in Auvergne, France
1777 - Lafayette departs France for America to join the Continental Army
- "I came from afar just to say "Bonsoir" to the King"
- — Marquis de Lafayette, "My Shot"
In May of 1770, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette married, unionising France and Austria, setting the stage for future tensions. In 1774, King Louis XV died, and XVI ascended to the throne
In October 1776, the same year the Declaration of Independence was signed, Benjamin Franklin arrives in France as a commissioner to seek French support for the American Revolution.
- "I'm the only American the French wanna see"
- — Benjamin Franklin, "Ben Franklin's Song"
From 1778, France began actively supporting the American Revolution. This is extremely important to the Hamilton story, as this is when Lafayette is in America, and befriends George Washington and Alexander Hamilton
- "I go to France for more funds, I come back with more guns"
- — Marquis de Lafayette, "Guns and Ships"
During this time, Benjamin Franklin is in Paris, serving as the American ambassador, securing French support for the revolution
- "I play my ambassador part with pride"
- — Benjamin Franklin, "Ben Franklin's Song"
In 1782, Lafayette returns to France, where he becomes a vocal advocate for reform in France, inspired by the American Revolution, working closely with Benjamin Franklin and his successor, Thomas Jefferson, who is appointed U.S. Minister to France in 1784.
- "I go back to France, I bring freedom to my people if I'm given the chance"
- — Marquis de Lafayette, "Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)"
Lafayette plays a key role in the French Revolution in 1789, but his position becomes precarious as the French Revolution descends into violence. The execution of Louis XVI in 1793 and the Reign of Terror create a political crisis that impacts U.S.-French relations.
- "Do provide aid and troops to our French allies? Or do we stay out of it?"
- — George Washington "Cabinet Battle #2"
As tensions rise in France, Thomas Jefferson departs, returning to United States, where he is appointed Secretary of State by George Washington
- "I helped Lafayette draft a declaration, Then I said, ‘I gotta go""
- — Thomas Jefferson, "What'd I Miss?"
At this time, Lafayette is declared a traitor by the radical Jacobin faction and is forced to flee France. He is captured by Austrian forces and imprisoned. In America, Hamilton argues that the U.S. cannot support a chaotic and unstable France, especially given the change in government and the invalidation of the previous treaty with the king.
- "We've signed a treaty with a king, who's head is now in a basket"
- — Alexander Hamilton, "Cabinet Battle #2"