Chapter 204: Chapter 180: The American Colossus and the French Giant

Paris, the Second Republic of France

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June 5th, 1834

Former French president Francois-Andrew Isambert handed the Assembly's gavel to the incoming president with a sad smile. He had been removed from office due to the election that occurred on May 1st (that saw the Republican coalition collapse and the Girondins earn a supermajority in the National Assembly) due to the growing crisis within the nation. The French Republic was a proud nation, resisting attempts of foreign powers to force the nation to bend to their will and building a powerful continental power despite all odds. It wasn't surprising that after the war between the United States and Britain began, there were many factions within France that sought to aid their beleaguered republican counterpart. The fact that Britain blockaded America and forcibly turned away numerous French ships only inflamed the pro-war factions, especially as the French Republic entered a period of economic downturn and instability. The Republicans sought to keep the nation out of the war, believing in the old dogma that France needed to focus on domestic issues before looking outward. However, the French people disagreed, and after a vote of no confidence in March, the Girondins (along with the Neo-Montagnards, that decided to abandon the Republicans over the war issue) were in power for the first time since 1830. And since the President of the Republic was appointed by the National Assembly (rather than a direct vote), the party with the majority appointed the next president.

The new President, President Ange Rene Armand, was a former lieutenant in the navy and a war hawk. An outspoken man that was one of the younger leaders of the Girondin faction, he was immediately selected for the presidency by the new National Assembly (that was led by the Girondins). The new cabinet formed immediately after President Armand's appointment, and Isambert knew that France would be at war very soon. However, he had already prepared the government and the military accordingly during his "lame duck" period to ensure that the war would start off smoothly for the nation. After all, despite being ousted from power, he was still French, first and foremost. And while the Republicans disliked foreign wars, they knew the importance of maintaining a professional military, especially since Austria and Prussia were becoming closer and closer to one another. Reserves were already being called up, the Republican Army was being sent down to the south to sweep Spain off its feet, and the Republican Navy was moving away from the English Channel and regrouping in Marseilles. Sabotaging the next administration and crippling France in the name of "political gain" would only destroy the reputation of the Republicans. It was better to ensure that France won a swift and dominating victory instead of a prolonged war that would only drain the finances of the nation.

"President Armand," Isambert stated as he placed the gavel firmly in his successor's hand, "I wish you the best of luck."

The new president looked a bit gleeful, but he remained composed and graciously accepted the gavel, "Of course. France will emerge from this war victorious."

Isambert nodded solemnly and sat down in a special seat behind the Girondin president. President Armand stood on a podium in front of the entire National Assembly, consisting of 460 Assemblymen. The entire Assembly was gathered for the transfer of power, and the president's speech. Banging the gavel once to signify that the new government was now in power (a tradition passed from the beginning of the Second Republic), President Armand began his speech, "I believe I do not need to give a long speech, gentlemen. Every person in this room knows the reason why the vote of no confidence was called. And every person knows what to expect for the next several years. However, I would like to clarify several things before we proceed to vote on the declaration of war."

Several opposition members murmured amongst each other, but the other members of the Assembly remained silent as they waited for the president to continue.

"I am not asking for this declaration of war simply because our finances are suffering and our people are clamoring to put the British into their place," President Armand stated as his eyes swept the chamber, "When the First Republic was facing the entirety of Europe by itself and was struggling for its own survival, it was the United States that came to our aid. It was America that stared down the might of the British Empire and shipped weapons and supplies to support our encircled nation. It was America that gave us millions of dollars of aid, simply because we were an aspiring republic and they believed that we could change the Old World as they had changed the New World. It was America that supported us with their own soldiers during the early days of the Second Republic. Simply put gentlemen, we have much to owe for our friends across the Atlantic, and we have spent far too much time debating on this issue.

"This war is one of moral obligation, of fraternite. Surely, you have heard of the atrocities the British, the Spanish, and the French Pretenders have committed against America? Tens of thousands of civilians are dead, if not hundreds of thousands. And yet, the United States is enduring and fighting back. They are being blockaded, numerous enemies are invading their home soil, and yet, they are struggling until the very end. What does that remind you of, gentlemen?"

Silence reigned in the Assembly. The Girondins were already set to approve the declaration of war, but there was a noticeable reaction from the opposition as well. Isambert knew why the Girondin president was stirring up the opposition: he wanted France to have a total united front in this war and sought to sway a few members of the opposition to his side in order to maintain a majority for the foreseeable future. After all, if the war ended swiftly, then it was possible that the Girondin-Neo-Montagnard coalition would swiftly fall apart.

"And if you are still unconvinced that we are to join this war on the side of the United States, then I have one final argument that will sway your minds," The president pulled out a piece of paper and waved it in front of the Legislative body of France, "The Americans are building ironclads, metal monstrosities that will make the British High Fleet nothing more than rowboats! They are only three months, at most, from completing these weapons. If we sit on the sidelines while twiddling our thumbs and the United States unleash these new weapons upon the world... Would it be wise for the American public and government to remember France as a nation that turned its back on America while it was fighting for its life? To be remembered as a nation that received everything from the United States, but gave nothing in return?"

Again, Isambert had to admit that President Armand was a masterful politician. He was offering two perspectives of the war, with both of them being perfectly valid (if anything, necessary) reasons to declare war. France was in America's debt, no matter how much it tried to glance over the issue. It was due to America that the French Republic prevailed in its darkest hour. And now, with the United States in her own darkest hour, the president was calling for the Assembly to repay America in full. It certainly helped that Britain and her allies were committing unspeakable atrocities against the Americans.

And then there was the 'interest' aspect of the declaration. By helping the United States defeat the so-called 'Alliance,' France would forever be in America's good grace. Once the American ironclads were complete, America's allies in the League of American Nations would be the first to receive the new weapons. After that? It would be France if it joined the war on America's side. If France had ironclads, then the entire balance of the continent would be changed in an instant. France would no longer be at the whim of the British government, but Britain would be at the whim of the French government. Especially if Great Britain lacked the ironclads to fight back with. After all, if France had ironclads, then it wouldn't have backed down when Britain blockaded the American East Coast and forced France from trading with the United States.

France had an interest, and a friend, in America.

"With that, I rest my case. Let us vote on the matter."

It was unsurprising that the declaration of war passed with overwhelming approval. 423 Assemblymen voted in favor, 20 abstained, and only 17 opposed the motion.

After nearly a year of deliberation and uncertainty, France was at war with the entire Alliance. And finally coming to America's aid.

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