French Federal Union: 1730-1815

1700s: Golden Age of French Colonization

                Despite the original intentions of France, by the mid-1730s, King Louis XIV realized the British intentions in the New World, which were to effectively control the New World. Louis XIV would continue in depth Colonization until the start of the Nineteenth Century.

                By 1754 and the Seven Years’ War, the French Empire seemed poised to overwhelm the British and control the New World. In North America in the coming two decades, there was bound to be a bloodbath.

                Seven Years’ War (1754-1763)

                In the early parts of the North American Campaign, Lieutenant Colonel George Washington of the Virginia Militia led his troops against the French Troops at Jumonville Glen. Despite the secrecy of the attack, French led Native American Scouts had alerted the French Garrison of the oncoming British Troops, resulting in a heightened awareness level. When Col. Washington and his troops attacked the Garrison, the first attackers were cut down by musket fire. Col. Washington made the decision to fall back after the second wave of attackers was cut down.

                The French Troops, seizing the advantage, pursued Washington to Fort Necessity. The French Troops surrounded the fort and attack relentlessly until the surrender of Washington, whom they let go. Only 34 of the Virginia Regiment survived. Col. Washington would be reprimanded for the loss of life.

                Much like in OTL, the French experienced large successes in the war until 1757. In 1758, the British Troops under William Pitt took Louisbourg, and the successful capture of Fort Duquesne and Fort Frontenac contributed to British success.

                Meanwhile, at the Battle of Carillon, the 4,000 French Troops repulsed 16,000 British Troops, an embarrassing defeat for the British. This defeat was all the more embarrassing when the next morning, the surviving British woke up surrounded by the French, who had been reinforced by 16,000 French Troops and 900 Natives.

                The survivors surrendered the next day, following a long battle for survival by the British. By 1759, the war in North America had become even more vital for the French, who shipped 35,000 Troops by January 1.

                At the Battle for Fort Carillon, the surrounded French were nearing surrender when 15,000 French Troops attacked the British lines from behind, sending the British into mass chaos. The Battle at Fort Niagara was won by the French as well, forcing the British to retreat in chaos.

                By 1760, the British troops were pulled from theater and brought themselves to the negotiation table with France.

       The American Revolution (1776-1781)

                After the Seven Years’ War, the French Government watched the faltering British Colonies with growing interest. By 1776, the French had been preparing to assist the Americans for three years in a much larger, much more overt role than OTL.

                In 1776, the young scholar Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, and British Troops engaged the Americans in street to street fighting in Boston. These minutemen gave the French Military, massing in the North in Canada, time to come to the aid of the United States of America.

                Major General Lafayette and the 70,000 French Infantry under his command rushed to the assistance of General George Washington following his retreat from New York City in the Spring of 1778. When the British crossed the river, they were met outside the city of Present-day Newark.

                The British, numbering at only 25,000 Soldiers were met by the Militia and US Soldiers, who created a diversion as 35,000 Soldiers under Lafayette surrounded the British. As the British surrounded the Continental Army, the French moved out from behind the British, firing into their lines from behind, killing most of the British Force within 15 minutes. The remaining British, numbering at barely 5,000, retreated towards the river. No other large-scale attack would be made against New Jersey.

                Meanwhile, the Continental Navy made their first major sea engagement under John Paul Jones at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, where John Paul Jones’ aggressive tactics resulted in the retreat of the British Navy trying to land troops in Baltimore.

                George Washington and 25,000 of La Fayette’s Infantry moved from the Hudson to further south starting in Spring 1779. His objective was to reach Virginia by Summer, where the British were experiencing slight successes.

                In Georgia, 30,000 British Troops landed in Savannah, Georgia, catching the Southern Continental Army off guard and quickly overwhelming and taking the city. The British Troops began moving North, where they would finally arrive by Autumn.

                Back North, in Maryland, Washington and his 35,000 men engaged the British at the Battle of Ligonier, where Washington’s 35,000 men, and 750 men residing in the Fort under the command of Colonel John Wellshire, engaged 25,000 British Troops moving North to New York City to surround and eliminate La Fayette’s threat.

                By noon, Washington’s left flank was under attack by the British, but holding, and his cavalry had engaged the British Cavalry under Captain Duke Carter 15 miles North, preparing to attack Washington from behind. The British and the American Cavalry pulled back leaving no clear winner, but the Americans would remain at a camp 5 miles north of Washington, sending Patrols throughout the day and into the morning.

                At roughly three o’clock, after enduring seven waves of British attacks, the left flank faltered and pulled back, resulting in the Continental Army’s withdrawal to the next ridgeline. At midnight, two British Infantry Regiments struck at the American Right Flank, but a surprise movement of a company of Cavalry surrounded the British, who were captured in the wee hours of June 17^th, a huge blow to the British Forces and resulting in a shake up of commands.

                At dawn, Washington decided that he would surround any oncoming British Units as they charged. By noon, two Cavalry Regiments were on each side of the American Lines. This unit deployment would be one of the smartest moves of the Americans during the Battle of Ligonier.

                After Washington’s request for reinforcements the previous day, 10,000 Troops under General Thomas Gunfrey arrived at Washington’s disposal. The units were laid down behind the ridgeline for Washington’s next move.

                At two o’clock, two regiments of Infantry Reserves charged British Lines, retreating by two thirty. Two of the four British Corps charged at American Lines, pushing the American Infantry back. As they crested the ridgeline, rifle fire from awaiting 40,000 American and French Troops cut down 95% of the British. When the final British man of the two corps made it back to camp, it was decided of the 15,000 British troops whom charged, only 4,232 Remained in fighting condition. Roughly five thousand where killed, and six thousand wounded.

                At five o’clock, the British Commander surrendered.

                On June 27, 1781, British Troops in North America surrendered following a humiliating Naval  and Land Defeat at New York.

The World Turned Upside-Down (1771-1800)

                Following the British defeat to the United States, the French would stand up to the British once more in the final battle for glory.  

                In 1794, great reforms within France took place, resulting in a Constitutional Monarchy much like Britain OTL. By 1796, the first Prime Minister, Marquis de La Fayette, hailed as a hero for his actions during the American Revolution, is elected. He will reign for 12 years, replaced by Joachim Murat, who would be assassinated in office by a bitter Englishman in 1815. 

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Author's Note: Sorry for so little posting! In the coming days, watch this space for the next chapter in the Timeline, 1815-1900.