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by ae_keji 3645 days ago
You're greatly over simplifying early American politics. Neither the French nor English were a consistent "common enemy". Rather there was extensive debate as to which would be/was a better ally or worse foe, and the US got into conflict with (and conducted mutually beneficial diplomacy with) both on several different occasions in the years after its founding.

(Below are several events in which the early US was aligned with either side, note this changed frequently)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France_in_the_American_Revolut...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Alliance_(1778)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_1812

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adams%E2%80%93On%C3%ADs_Treaty

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proclamation_of_Neutrality

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XYZ_Affair

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasi-War