Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy is the ideas and actions a nation takes in relation to nations outside its borders.

The Seven Years War

• France had been long term enemies with Austria and Britain since the 1400s. 
    
• 7 Years War brought Austria and France into alliance.
   
• 7 Year War was an epic fail for France, with massive defeats to Britain and their American Colonies.
   
• France lost nearly all territory in North America and West Africa.
   
• This left them grumpy, and yearning for revenge!  

The American Revolution

• France saw a chance for vengeance and joined the 13 American Colonies in Revolt (1778-1783)
   
• This wasn’t because they agreed with the Enlightenment principles but because they wanted to minimise British influence in America (Mercantilism).
   
• Managed to significantly help in the defeat of Britain.
   
• But this introduced soldiers to revolutionary ideas.
   
• France incurred massive national debts.