Before I begin, France has A LOT of history. I can’t cover it in detail (this is, after all, only one blog post), but I’ll do my best to do it justice. This will be a very brief sum up of France’s history. If anything interests you, I encourage you to look deeper into it. I encourage it in general. And please, if you feel like anything in this post needs a follow up, post it in the comments below! I would love to read it!
During BCE (before common era), France is split into several groups: the Gauls, the Aquitani, the Greeks, and the Belgae. The Romans, under Julius Caesar, conquered the Gallic region of France in the Gallic Wars. The war lasted from 58-51 BCE. France went through several wars in which they gained and lost land under several leaders. One of the more significant conflicts is the Hundred Year’s War, a series of wars that lasted from 1337-1453. It began after Charles IV of France died, leaving no blood heir other than Edward III of England. Edward III was Charles IV’s nephew and Phillip IV of France’s grandson which made him the last living male member of the House of Capet (aka House of France). Edward III’s Mother Isabella of France was unable to claim the throne due to a principle established in 1316 that made it impossible for women to succeed the throne so Isabella claimed it for her son. The French rejected this claim, stating that Isabella didn’t have the right to assert a ruler of France. The French wanted the House of Valois to control France, and so the House of Valois and the House of Plantagenet went to war to decide who would rule over France. Joan of Arc entered the war in 1429, helped retake the city of Orléans, France, inspired the takeback of several other cities, and then was killed by the English in 1430. In the end, the French won, and Charles VII (aka Charles the Victorious) remained King of France. The most notable changes that came from the Hundred Year’s War were: the democratization of the French army, the modernization of weapons and the creation of French nationalism. During the Hundred Year’s War, the Black Death broke out (between 1348-1353). The Black Death is one of the most catastrophic pandemics; a plague that resulted in the death of something between 75-200 million people (worldwide).
More wars over land and religion ensued. One of those was a war with Italy, the First Italian War (over land and power), in which they lost but became inspired by the Italian Renaissance so they came home and started the French Renaissance. The French Renaissance was a cultural and artistic movement in France between the 15th-17th centuries. Most notably what came from the French Renaissance was the spread of humanism, exploration of the “New World,” the development of art, an elaboration of etiquette and the urbanization of Paris. More wars happened. Louis XIV created the idea of an absolute monarchical rule, known as the divine right of kings, which made the monarch more powerful than everyone, except for God. This means he was better than, and therefore didn’t have to listen to the people, the aristocracy, or even the church. More wars followed that made France the primal power in Europe.
In 1754, conflicts over territories in North America with the English led to the Seven Year War. The English won in 1763 which led to the French losing “New France” which consisted of territories in North America, Spanish Florida, several islands in the West Indies, the colony of Senegal on the West African coast, and superiority over the French trading outposts in India. This loss also meant that France was no longer the primal power in Europe anymore. Upset about this, the French assisted the Americans in their upheaval against the British in the American Revolutionary War. They did this hoping that it would help them gain back some of the land they lost in the Seven Year War, however it left them in further debt, and they gained very little from it.
After the recent wars (Seven Year War and American Revolutionary War) left the French bankrupt, a highly inefficient tax system screwed over the poor, years of bad harvests lead to increased food prices, malnutrition, and hunger, the rich couldn’t give a damn about the majority of France’s problems. All of which led to the French Revolutionary War. Notable events that occurred during the French Revolutionary War were: the storming of the Bastille (will cover in greater detail later), the curtailment of the church powers (this law reorganized the French Catholic Church, made it so the salaries of the priests would be paid by the state, abolished the Church’s authority to levy a tax on crops, and again cancelled some privileges for the clergy), and the creation of a constitutional monarchy (the King has to share power with an elected legislative assembly). Napoleon Bonaparte was a military and political figure that came to rise during the French Revolutionary War. Napoleon did a lot, however, the biggest impacts he had were: he shifted more power to Paris so that all decisions about France would be made in Paris, decreased hostility between the government and the church, came up with a modernized, more efficient tax system, made it so any man could serve in the army rather than the aristocrats choosing for them, and most importantly, helped create the Napoleonic Code (According to Wikipedia: “The Code recognized the principles of civil liberty, equality before the law, and the secular character of the state. It discarded the old right of primogeniture (where only the eldest son inherited) and required that inheritances be divided equally among all the children. The court system was standardized; all judges were appointed by the national government in Paris.”). After Napoleon died, France became politically unstable with the government changing every few months (even during peaceful times).
And you know what happened next! More wars over land and religion! Eventually the French railway system became popular which led to the modernization of French rural cities, and helped facilitate the rise of the industrial revolution. In 1869, the French said “NON” to the possible candidate to the throne of Spain, Prince Leopold von Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. The war over that (the Franco-Prussian War) ended with the Treaty of Frankfurt which meant the newly formed German Empire could keep Alsace and Lorraine (previously French provinces). Franz Ferndinand, an Austrian archduke, was shot and a shit ton of countries went to war with each other (World War I). Eventually France joined in, partly out of obligation, partly because they were hoping to get the provinces back that they had lost in the Franco-Prussian War. The Great Depression finally hit France around 1931, though not nearly as hard as it hit some other countries.
Germany invaded Poland in 1939 which forced Britain and France to declare war on Germany even though they REAAAAAALLLLLLLYYYY didn’t want to. In 1940, Germany defeated and occupied France but the Allies (the side France was on) won in 1945. After World War II, France was financially and socially messed up. Charles de Gaulle stepped up to put France’s shit back in order. He founded the fifth republic (France’s current system of government), initiated the “Politics of Grandeur” which stated that France shouldn’t rely on other countries for national protection and prosperity, withdrew the French military from NATO, and restored Franco-German relations.
The dissolution of the Soviet Union lessened tension in France leading to the reduction in their nuclear arsenal. Although nuclear threat went down, terrorism became more prevalent. To this day, terrorism in France remains a highly controversial topic. But when it does happen, the French remain strongly unified. Vive la France!
Or if watching videos is more your thing, check out Suibhne’s sum up of French history! It’s magnificent!:
And if you want to hear more about World War II, feel free to watch Eddie Izzard’s bit about it (he curses a lot):
Additional Reading:
http://www.expatica.com/fr/about/30-interesting-facts-about-France_109142.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_France
After looking into a handful of the blog posts on your web page,
I really appreciate your technique of blogging.
I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back in the near future.
Take a look at my web site too and let me know how you
feel.
I know this web page provides quality depending articles or reviews and additional material,
is there any other web site which presents such stuff in quality?
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this blog.
I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade content by you in the future as well.
In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own blog now 😉
Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my
4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed.
There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Hello! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate
your content. Please let me know. Thank you
Great goods from you, man. I’ve take note your stuff prior to and you’re just too magnificent.
I really like what you have obtained right here, really like what you are
saying and the way wherein you say it. You’re making it entertaining and you continue to
take care of to stay it wise. I cant wait to learn much
more from you. This is actually a great web site.
We’re a group of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community.
Your site provided us with useful information to work on.
You’ve performed a formidable process and our entire group
shall be grateful to you.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.
I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read
more of your useful info. Thanks for the post.
I will certainly comeback.
I get pleasure from, lead to I found exactly what I was taking
a look for. You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt!
God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the article you write.
The world hopes for even more passionate writers such
as you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart.
When I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify
me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added
I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you are able to remove me from that service?
Thanks!
I’m not positive where you’re getting your information, however good topic.
I must spend a while finding out much more or figuring out more.
Thanks for magnificent info I was on the lookout for this info
for my mission.
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills as
well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did
you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing,
it’s rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays.
Howdy! I simply would like to offer you a big thumbs up for the excellent info you have right here
on this post. I’ll be returning to your site for more soon.
Incredible points. Great arguments. Keep up the good spirit.
Very energetic article, I loved that bit. Will there be a part 2?
Because the admin of this site is working, no question very
rapidly it will be renowned, due to its quality contents.
Hi there, after reading this amazing article i am too happy to
share my experience here with colleagues.
I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Exceptionally well written!
If some one wants expert view on the topic of running
a blog then i suggest him/her to pay a visit this website, Keep up the nice
work.
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your blog.
You have some really good articles and I believe I would be a good asset.
If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some material for your
blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please shoot me an email if interested.
Regards!
Hello Dear, are you actually visiting this website on a regular basis,
if so afterward you will absolutely obtain nice know-how.
This page definitely has all the info I needed concerning
this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
I know this site provides quality depending articles
or reviews and additional stuff, is there any other site which gives these kinds of
information in quality?
Thanks for a marvelous posting! I actually
enjoyed reading it, you may be a great author. I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will come
back sometime soon. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great work, have a nice afternoon!
great issues altogether, you just won a emblem new
reader. What could you suggest about your submit that you just made some days
ago? Any sure?
Hi there, I discovered your web site by means of Google at the
same time as looking for a similar topic, your website got
here up, it seems good. I have bookmarked it in my google
bookmarks.
Hello there, simply changed into alert to your blog thru Google, and found that it’s truly informative.
I am gonna be careful for brussels. I will be grateful when you
continue this in future. Many other folks can be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It absolutely useful and it has helped me out
loads. I’m hoping to contribute & help different users like its aided me.
Good job.
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an very long comment
but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show
up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just
wanted to say wonderful blog!
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
Plz answer back as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to find out where u got this
from. appreciate it
Great blog here! Also your site quite a bit up fast!
What host are you using? Can I get your associate link
for your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
I was able to find good advice from your blog posts.
Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It if truth be told was a amusement account
it. Glance complex to more introduced agreeable from
you! By the way, how could we keep in touch?
Hi there, the whole thing is going sound here
and ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that’s really fine, keep up writing.
I constantly emailed this weblog post page to all my associates, for the reason that if like to read it then my links will too.
I couldn’t resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!
Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too wonderful.
I really like what you have acquired here,
certainly like what you are saying and the way in which you say it.
You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it sensible.
I can not wait to read much more from you. This is actually a terrific
web site.
Normally I don’t read article on blogs, but I would
like to say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do so!
Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thank you, very nice post.
you’re truly a just right webmaster. The web site loading pace is amazing.
It seems that you are doing any distinctive trick.
In addition, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a magnificent process in this
matter!
Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not
seeing very good success. If you know of any please share.
Thank you!
What’s up to all, how is all, I think every one is getting more from this web page,
and your views are fastidious designed for new viewers.
You should take part in a contest for one of the finest websites on the web.
I’m going to recommend this web site!
Link exchange is nothing else except it is just placing the other person’s website link on your page at suitable place and other person will also do same for you.
I used to be able to find good info from your blog
articles.
Right now it appears like Expression Engine is the best blogging platform out there right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
If you are going for best contents like I do,
simply pay a visit this website all the time for
the reason that it presents feature contents, thanks
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit
more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme?
Great work!
I am in fact grateful to the owner of this site who has shared this enormous post at at this place.
You have made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for additional information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.
I could not refrain from commenting. Very well written!