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On the basis of a study of American, British and Canadian records, this article examines the relationship of France to the negotiation of the North Atlantic Treaty from the perspective of the ‘ABC’ countries, particularly Canada. How did the perceived vulnerability of France influence the approach of the members of the ‘North Atlantic Triangle’ to the justification, timing and contents of the proposed pact? How did France's inclusion in Western Union and its exclusion from the preliminary talks in the Pentagon affect American, British and Canadian attitudes to the development of the draft alternatively known as the ‘Pentagon Paper’ or the ‘State Department Draft’? These questions are addressed, as well as the impact on the later ambassadorial talks of France's priority to immediate rearmament and its determination to include the departments of Algeria within the defensive perimeter of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Finally, the article assesses the extent to which France and its requirements influenced the policies and actions of the Canadian government throughout the negotiation of the North Atlantic Treaty. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the past few years, much attention has been accorded to the evident spread of anti-American sentiment throughout large parts of the world. In particular, there has been a focus upon what some have termed 'friendly fire' anti-Americanism, associated with opposition to American policy within the transatlantic community, made up as it is of US allies and friends. Within that community, anti-American orientations have of late appeared especially pronounced in a part of North America once regarded as being decidedly pro-American, namely the Canadian province of Quebec. The apparent emergence of 'lite' anti-Americanism within Quebec society poses some interesting questions, none perhaps of more salience for transatlantic studies than the potential creation of a transnational epistemic community linking France and Quebec. This article seeks to determine whether, and to what extent, the recent change in Quebeckers' attitudes toward the United States might testify to the existence of a 'French connection'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]