French Theory

[Siwi]

Does anyone think that perhaps, the reason the french are branded with being cowards has to do with the fact that most of the brave frenchmen died/were scattered over Russia during the Napoleonic Wars? They were far from cowardly during that time, and everyone seems to ignore that and just quotes world war 1 and 2. Thoughts?

Does anyone know where the french=cowards came from?

[Windflower]

lol

[Gluk the Walrus]

It started because of how quickly the french surrendered in WW2 to nazi germany. What people fail to realize is that throughout history there have been countless examples of french bravery on the battle field, including WW2. People don't seem to know that much of france was in open rebellion, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_France

[Peppers]

Look up the 33rd grenadiers Charlemagne  if you want to see present dayish brave Frenchmen.

[Siwi]

lol, was drunk, my grammar was impeccable tho

[Fwuffy]

you guys take things way too seriously

[The_Squid]

If anything it was probably popularized in World War I due to desertion rates and French lines retreating. It's not really fair because the Frenchmen bore the brunt of the German war machine before the British were able to fully commit the totality of their Army and land forces. French lines fell repeatedly because by 1916, they were already severely exhausted. The British allies and others did not let this fact exonerate the French fleeing forces. My guess though.   

[Liman von Sanders]

*shows its surrender flag

[Ted]

If anything it was probably popularized in World War I due to desertion rates and French lines retreating. It's not really fair because the Frenchmen bore the brunt of the German war machine before the British were able to fully commit the totality of their Army and land forces. French lines fell repeatedly because by 1916, they were already severely exhausted. The British allies and others did not let this fact exonerate the French fleeing forces. My guess though.

Well the French still managed to take all the german positions they were supposed to at the Somme with only minor losses while the brits got rekt. The French fought very well over the whole war.

[The Mighty McLovin]

Well, in my opinion it was during the World War II and the Germans managed to invade and conquer France in just over a month, so then they became cowards. And I think over time this has being over-exaggerated into them being cowards and having their official flag being the white surrender flag. I think now it's like a French military stereotype.

[joer5835]

I've met very few people who seriously believed France was a country of cowards. It's more of a joke, actually, like how people joke around that all Ruskies are drunks and the Dutch are always high. Anyone that knows even a little bit of history, knows that France had one of the most powerfull armies in modern Western history up untill the 20th century.

[BabyJesus]

I've met very few people who seriously believed France was a country of cowards. It's more of a joke, actually, like how people joke around that all Ruskies are drunks and the Dutch are always high. Anyone that knows even a little bit of history, knows that France had one of the most powerfull armies in modern Western history up untill the 20th century.

Russians are always drunk tho :/

[KL4R1N0G4MPR0S]

Meh, I think that it was the net trend of popularly-known losses that brand the French as such, including WWI, WWII, Indochina, Algeria, and the various skirmishes in the colonies that they ended up losing during decolonisation... I'm far from knowledgeable on the topic though, so I'l leave it at that 

[MaxLam]

I think that this joke appeared after the US invasion of Iraq, when the French government refused to take part. France was considered to have the strongest army in the world until 1940, especially since the French won WW1. And their quick defeat was a surprise for everyone. There are few examples of cowardice in the French military history. There have been many betrayals, but that happened to other countries too, including the US. Also I believe that this idea of French being cowards is mostly US, and if it has spread to other brains, it's only through the English language.

[Cazasar]

I think that this joke appeared after the US invasion of Iraq, when the French government refused to take part. France was considered to have the strongest army in the world until 1940, especially since the French won WW1. And their quick defeat was a surprise for everyone. There are few examples of cowardice in the French military history. There have been many betrayals, but that happened to other countries too, including the US. Also I believe that this idea of French being cowards is mostly US, and if it has spread to other brains, it's only through the English language.

Its a big joke here in Germany. And I doubt that comes from the english language.