Expert: Mark Smith - 4/4/2005

Question
Hello,
I'd like to know about the complexed history of Britain, Ireland, USA and France around the trun of the century. I know Ireland was a colony of Britain yet. The Irish might consider the French as their friend. Could you explain their relations?
I'd deeply appreaciate your kind answer.
In Yeoung

Answer
Hello.
The French and the Irish were often allies of convenience. The Irish wanted help, from any source, to free them from English dominance. The French were keen to help as they were often at war with England and if they could stir up rebellion in Ireland it would greatly assist the French war effort. The French had no real desire to aid the Irish to achieve independence, they used the Irish as a way of getting at England. The last time French troops landed to help the Irish was in 1798 during the French Revolutionary Wars. It was the same when France allied with the infant USA in 1778, they did it not for a desire to see the Americans free, but to keep the British soldiers occupied in fighting in north America and away from the battlefields of Europe. The Spanish also played the same game in the 16th century.  
Mark