Fact check: Didn't the Americans actually agree to a loan during the revolutionary war? And then, after France had secured their existence as a country, the US backed out of the deal and refused to pay?

1. Summary of the results

The historical record shows that France, along with other European nations, did provide substantial loans to the American colonies during the Revolutionary War. The total amount from European nations exceeded $10 million ^{[1] [1]}, with France being a primary lender. However, the statement about the US simply "backing out" of the deal is not entirely accurate. While the US did struggle with repayment - stopping interest payments in 1785 and defaulting on installments in 1787 ^{[2] [3]} - they ultimately fulfilled their obligations through a structured settlement in 1795, facilitated by American banker James Swan ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial contextual elements are missing from the original statement:

• The financial support wasn't just from France - Spain and the Netherlands were also significant lenders ^[1]
• The US was experiencing severe economic challenges:
• Rapid money printing led to significant inflation ^[1]
• The Continental dollar was severely depreciated ^[1]
• The US actually took steps to address its debt problems:
• Alexander Hamilton established the First Bank of the United States specifically to manage war debts ^[1]
• Under the new Constitution, the US began making regular payments to France starting in 1790 ^[3]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement presents a potentially misleading narrative by:

• Suggesting that the US simply "refused to pay" when in reality there was a more complex situation involving temporary default followed by eventual settlement
• Omitting the crucial role of Benjamin Franklin in negotiating the loans ^[2]
• Failing to acknowledge the broader economic context of the young nation's financial struggles
• Not mentioning the successful resolution through James Swan's intervention ^[2]

This oversimplified narrative could benefit those seeking to portray early American-French relations in a negative light or question the United States' historical commitment to its international obligations. However, the historical record shows a more nuanced situation of a young nation struggling with, but ultimately honoring, its wartime debts.