The Natural Borders

France and britain's national security goals were in direct conflict during the reign of Louis the fifteenth. The french wanted to control modern day belgium and the netherlands that could be used to invade britain. This ambition also brought france into conflict with austrian foreign policy. Maintaining hapsburg dominance over the holy roman empire meant fighting to defend it when threatened. France intervened in the american war of independent largely to avenge the unhappy result of the seven years war.