Student Publications Student Scholarship Fall 2017 "A Delirious Welcome to Anyone in Uniform:" The GI Experience in Paris, July - September 1944 Bridget E. Ashton Gettysburg College Follow this and additional works at: https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/student_scholarship Part of the European History Commons, Military History Commons, and the United States History Commons Share feedback about the accessibility of this item. Ashton, Bridget E., ""A Delirious Welcome to Anyone in Uniform:" The GI Experience in Paris, July - September 1944" (2017). Student Publications. 586. https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/student_scholarship/586 This open access student research paper is brought to you by The uC pola: Scholarship at Gettysburg College. It has been accepted for inclusion by an authorized administrator of The uC pola. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. "A Delirious Welcome to Anyone in Uniform:" The GI Experience in Paris, July - September 1944 Abstract Previous studies of relationships between American GIs and the French population during and after Liberation paint two extremes: one of a perfectly handsome American man doling out candy, cigarettes, and kisses, and the other of a rapist and conqueror. In reality, the situation proved to be somewhere between these two realities. In this paper, I will argue that the Franco-American relationship in the months of July, August, and September 1944 was one of utility and necessity that left the rF ench vulnerable and powerless. Because of factors such as preexisting conditions left behind by German soldiers, language barriers, and material needs, American GIs enlisted, collaborated with, interacted with, and took advantage of Parisians during their time in Paris Keywords Liberation, Paris, World War II, Cultural History Disciplines European History | History | Military History | United States History Comments This paper was written for Dr.