We who were born in the 20th Century tend to take a very 20th Century view of world history, but most of the depredations you speak of were seen in abundance in the nation that gave America the Statue of Liberty, from her roots in Revolutionary France which imposed 'The Terror' (1793-1794) which became the model of Socialist Revolution thereafter. Whatever the reasons for the friendship, it’s a big warning sign and one you should take seriously. No one knew what the revenues of the treasury were...