France, since the defeat of the Seven Years' War,
法国自为时七年的战争失败以后
had been desperate to get revenge on England.
一直渴望向英国复仇
Louis XVI would like nothing more than to attack the old enemy.
路易十六最希望的就是对老对手发动攻击
But, on the other hand, there's a problem.
但另一方面 有一个问题
If they do that, are they not supporting insurgence?
如果他们这么做 是否是在支持暴动呢
And indeed insurgents, many of whom were republicans,
而那些起义者 大多数是共和党人
and avowed republicans like that.
以及拥护共和党的人
And so, it's difficult.
所以 选择陷入两难
And so, to begin with, they take a kind of a middle course.
因此在开始时 他们作了折中选择
Louis approved the aid,
路易同意提供支持
but insisted that everything was done in secret.
但坚持一切都要秘密进行
Using a certain amount of covert skulduggery,
用一系列的掩盖手法
weapons and arms are sent off to help the Americans
武器被送去支援美国人
fight off the British
对抗英国
attempt to reconquer the rebellious colonies.
重新征服殖民地的野心