page_title: France–United States relations
section_title: The Great War (1917–18)
hierarchical_section_title: France–United States relations / World War I (1914–19) / The Great War (1917–18)
caption_attribution_description: Joan of Arc saved France--Women of America, save your country--Buy War Savings Stamps
context_page_description: French–American relations refers to the diplomatic, social, economic and cultural relations between France and the United States since 1776. France was one of the first allies of the new United States. The 1778 treaty and military support proved decisive in the American victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War. France fared poorly, with few gains and heavy debts, which were contributing causes of France's own revolution and eventual transition to a Republic.
  The relationship had always been important for both nations. It has been peaceful except for the Quasi-War in 1798-99, and fighting against Vichy France in 1942-1944 during World War II. During the American Civil War France took over Mexico. When the U.S. defeated the Confederacy it sent a large army to the border and forced the French to withdraw.
  In the 21st Century, differences over the Iraq War led each country to have lowered favorability ratings of the other. However, since then, relations have improved, with American favorable ratings of France reaching a historic high of 87% in 2016.
context_section_description: During World War I the United States was initially neutral but eventually entered the conflict in 1917 and provided much-needed money—as loans to be repaid—that purchased American food, oil and chemicals for the French effort.  The American troops were sent over without their heavy equipment (so that the ships could carry more soldiers). They used French artillery, airplanes and tanks, such as the SPAD XIII fighter biplane and Renault FT light tank serving in the aviation and armored formations of the American Expeditionary Force on the Western Front in 1918. In 1918 the United States sent over two million combat troops under the command of General John J. Pershing, who operated on their own sector of the Western Front. They gave the Allies a decisive edge, as the Germans were unable to replace their heavy losses and lost their self-confidence by September 1918.
caption: United States patriotic poster depicting the French heroine Joan of Arc during the World War I.
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