"France"

For the American conservative movement 'France' has become a dirty word. Pundits who can quote the Founding fathers on the place of Christianity in the American founding or America's role in the maintenance of freedom in Europe through the 20th century, fail to mention that it was only thanks to France that America exists.

It was Admiral de Grasse who planned the battle of Yorktown, defeated the English fleet, and put almost as many French troops into the fight as there were American. The treasure engaged was that of the French nation. That Louis XVI had larger purposes, if he did, changes nothing: no French help, no United States of America.

My wife was twenty four years old in 1944 when America invaded France. Her father fought at Verdun, a battle in a war whose victory was made possible by an American army. Ariving in France General Pershing famously declared: “Lafayette, nous voilà”. My wife, however, is sympathetic to the new American attitude. She is disgusted at French anti-Americanism, and several other aspects of her country. Her attitude is shared by many but they lack a voice.

France, with less freedom than America, has not seen the emergence of anything comparable to the “conservative movement”. But, even with one side mute, the 'culture war' rages also in Europe.