Figure 1.--Here we see an American Ambulance Corps driver with some of French chums. Notice the wooden shoes the children are wearing.

It was the first time that the French met Americans in large mumbers. France was one of the few European countries from which people did not emigrate to America in large numbers. The French felt linkages with America because for about a century, America was the only other republic of any consequence. But unlike other countries, there had been few likages on the individual and family level. The huge numbers of Americans that flowed into France changed this. The Doughboys were not confined tightly in military camps. There was extensive interaction between the Doughboys and the French people. The optimistic Americans were a tonic to the French after 3 years of war and horrendous losses. Few Frenchmen by the end of the war had not had some contact with American Doughboys. It was the children who were most enchanted, especially because the Americans had a seemingly inexhaustable supply of sweets. Perhaps even more important that the impact of the Americans on the French, was the French on the Americans. There were of course there were war brides. And rather provincial, culturaly conservative Amnericans were exposed to the more libertine French life style. France was especially mind-opening for African-American soldiers.

Created: 5:15 AM 3/4/2019
Last updated: 7:16 AM 3/4/2019