Blum-Byrnes agreement
Encyclopedia
The Blum-Byrnes agreement (in French accord Blum-Byrnes) was a French-American agreement, signed May 28, 1946 by the Secretary of State James F. Byrnes
and representatives of the French government Léon Blum
and Jean Monnet
. This agreement erased part of the French debt to the United States after the Second World War (2 billions of dollars).
The Truman administration offered a new and very attractive loan contract to France.
In exchange, Byrnes had a requirement: that all French cinemas were open to the American movies except one week a month. It was a way to spread the American way of life and to promote the Hollywood film industry.
James F. Byrnes
James Francis Byrnes was an American statesman from the state of South Carolina. During his career, Byrnes served as a member of the House of Representatives , as a Senator , as Justice of the Supreme Court , as Secretary of State , and as the 104th Governor of South Carolina...
and representatives of the French government Léon Blum
Léon Blum
André Léon Blum was a French politician, usually identified with the moderate left, and three times the Prime Minister of France.-First political experiences:...
and Jean Monnet
Jean Monnet
Jean Omer Marie Gabriel Monnet was a French political economist and diplomat. He is regarded by many as a chief architect of European Unity and is regarded as one of its founding fathers...
. This agreement erased part of the French debt to the United States after the Second World War (2 billions of dollars).
The Truman administration offered a new and very attractive loan contract to France.
In exchange, Byrnes had a requirement: that all French cinemas were open to the American movies except one week a month. It was a way to spread the American way of life and to promote the Hollywood film industry.