The Evolution Of The United States Attitudes Towards France's Superpower Status Since Late World War Ⅱ

Until now, the Second World War was the largest scale and the costliest war in human history. And it was an unprecedented calamity. Allies, who on behalf of justice, engaged in joint operations against Axis powers. By paying the blood price, they eventually obtained the great victory of the anti-fascist war. Some emerging countries rapidly rose in this war, such as the United States, the Soviet Union; And some traditional powers declined, such as the Great Britain, France. The changes of the international structure led to some irreconcilable contradictions when they cooperated to each other.American's comprehensive strength rapidly expanded in this period, which made her to be the leading super power in the capitalist world. To the contrary, the traditional powers like England and France fell. All of these provide an excellent opportunity for American entering to the Great powers. Her plan in the Future was to control Europe, and then contends for the hegemony of the world.What Amazed American was that France was ruin in a short time. So she started to foster a puppet regime of France, then control the whole of Europe because she thought France was no longer a great power; at the same time, she tried to grab France's overseas colonies for the hegemony of the world. Nevertheless, the Free French led by Charles de Gaulle Hindered American's Strategic Plan. With the increasing influence of the regime at home and abroad, American had to give her limited recognition and support.The United States was Unwilling to accept the regime led by Gaulle, more specifically, she wouldn't like to see a France who was rising. Therefore, under guidance of Franklin D. Roosevelt's national self-determination and anti-colonial thought, she tried to prevent Gaulle to acquire the authority of France and her Revival. In addition, Roosevelt's personal view about Gaulle also influence American's attitude to France. However, there had some different views Within the Government. They thought American should accept a rising France. So American acquiesced in the regime and her great-power status.There had some external factors:first, Gaulle and his country paid great effort to prove the greatness of France. Second, England pointed out the importance of France before American. In addition, Friendly relationship between France and the Soviet Union stimulated American's nerve.At the end of the war, the contradiction between American and the Soviet Union was increasing. For the purpose of seizing the hegemony, the United States completely gave up her original attitude to France, instead, assisted France in politics, economy, diplomacy and so on.The United States'changed attitude towards the great-power status of France had a complex process. Through this process and the cause of it, we can obtain a clearly clue:A country's foreign policy always serve its national interests. No matter how to change, it's just for one purpose:maximize national interests.