Had they not sold out at bargain basement prices it would have made us a bit smaller. I don't doubt that somehow it all would have come into US hands if the US wanted it bad enough but cheap prices are good. The French wouldn't give a yes or no to helping the Confederacy but we know they did aid the Confederate Navy. So that is 2 points in their favor.
Then, the fight started. They did not want to switch from French to German (and I can't really blame em) so they let us assist them. So the French, in their infinite wisdom went on to other things a decade or so later. (Give or take a few). They got in a pickle again and our leaders in DC (seems like a lot of bad juju comes from DC) decided to relieve them in Vietnam. We all know how that went. No need to ponder that decision. Sooo, blame the French. I think we can on that.
I hate diss'n em too much because we in Pensacola were under the French Flag for a bit. Not sure just what all they did while they owned us and it wasn't all that long. We ought to send em a note telling them they are truly genius at baking a loaf of bread that can be used as a bat. I know it can, but Mom didn't leave marks to prove I know. They gave us Lady Liberty, maybe they were on a guilt trip (?--nah, they don't take those trips) as compensation for a bunch of Huguenots they turned out centuries earlier. They gave us Chanel. That's the best gift of all, well, Friench Fries too. Gotta love the Fries.
Pam