A myth-shattering account of how our oldest ally became our oldest enemy Contrary to popular belief, the French army came to fight in America’s Revolutionary War not to save liberty but to restore French control over North America. Failing in that effort, the French then sent agents to overthrow President Washington by provoking street riots while French warships occupied the harbors of major cities. Later, the French sank more than 500 American ships–until President Adams ordered construction of an American navy to destroy the French fleet. This action-packed history shows how Washington, Adams, and other American leaders escaped the guillotine and saved the infant republic.