Geographic History of France: How France Acquired The Land It Owns Today
Summary
TLDRThis video explores the geographic evolution of France from the reign of Clovis I to modern times. It covers the early Frankish Kingdom's fragmentation and reunification, the Carolingian Empire's expansion, and territorial changes during the Hundred Years' War. The narrative continues with France's colonial growth and contraction, Napoleon's conquests, and post-World War II decolonization. The video concludes with a brief on France's current territorial holdings, including overseas territories.
Takeaways
- 🏰 France's early history was marked by a cycle of unification under a king and subsequent division upon their death.
- 👑 Clovis I was the first leader to unite what would become France and established Paris as the capital.
- 🗺️ The Carolingian dynasty, led by Charlemagne, initiated France's first major territorial expansion.
- 👑 After Charlemagne's death, the empire was divided into three kingdoms, which would become France, Italy, and the Holy Roman Empire.
- 🏰 The medieval period saw France's borders fluctuate due to wars with England and internal conflicts.
- 🛡️ The Hundred Years' War was a significant conflict where England invaded France, but France eventually reclaimed its territory.
- 🌍 Post-1500, France expanded in Europe through military conquest, diplomacy, and strategic marriages, as well as establishing colonies overseas.
- 🏝️ New France, covering much of Eastern Canada and parts of the Mississippi River Valley, was a major French colonial territory in North America.
- 🗽 France's colonial ambitions also extended to South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
- 🔥 Napoleon Bonaparte led France to its largest territorial expansion in the early 1800s, but these gains were short-lived after his defeat.
- 🌎 After World War II, France began to shed its colonies, with most being lost between 1950 and 1960.
Q & A
What was the significance of Clovis I in the early history of France?
-Clovis I was the first leader to make himself king of what would later become France. He began his reign in 481 and later conquered the Southwest portion of France from the Visigoths. He also made Paris the capital of his kingdom.
How did the Frankish Kingdom change after the death of Clovis I?
-Upon Clovis I's death in 509, the kingdom was split into four kingdoms of roughly equal size, each given to one of his sons. This led to a pattern of uniting under a king and then splitting after the king's death.
What was the Carolingian Dynasty's impact on the expansion of France?
-Under the Carolingian Dynasty, led by Charles the Great, France had its first major expansion. The Carolingian Empire took over much of Central Europe, including parts of modern-day Germany, Italy, and Northern Spain.
What were the three kingdoms that emerged from the breakup of the Carolingian Empire?
-The Carolingian Empire broke up into three kingdoms: West Francia, Middle Francia, and East Francia, which would eventually become the kingdoms of France, Italy, and the Holy Roman Empire, respectively.
How did the Angevin Empire affect France's territory?
-The Angevin Empire, established by Henry II of England with ancestry from Normandy, led to France losing most of what is today Western France during the mid-1100s. However, by 1214, Philip II of France reconquered much of this territory.
What was the outcome of the Hundred Years War between England and France?
-The Hundred Years War began in 1337 and resulted in France losing much of northern France, including Paris, to the English. However, by 1453, France had repelled the English and re-established control over its territory.
How did France expand its territory in Europe after the year 1500?
-After 1500, France expanded its European territory through military conquest, diplomatic means, and strategic marriages. It acquired regions like Artois, Alsace, Lorraine, and Corsica, solidifying its borders as we know them today.
What was New France and how did it evolve?
-New France was the area of North America colonized by France, starting with a foothold in modern-day Nova Scotia in 1605. At its height in 1712, it stretched from Eastern Canada to the Mississippi River Valley to modern-day New Orleans. However, after losing wars with Britain, France sold its remaining land to the United States in 1803.
What was the extent of France's colonial empire at its peak?
-At its peak, the French Colonial Empire included much of Western Africa, Southeast Asia, parts of South America, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and a territory in North America, French Guiana.
How did World War I and World War II affect France's territory?
-World War I resulted in France regaining Alsace-Lorraine from Germany and suffering minor territorial losses in Indochina to Japan, which were later reclaimed. World War II led to the temporary loss of much of France to Nazi Germany and the near-total loss of its colonies, all of which were restored after the war.
What is the current state of France's territory and colonial holdings?
-Today, France continues to exist within Europe and holds French Guiana in South America, along with territories in the Caribbean, South Pacific, Indian Ocean, and a small island off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. It has shed most of its former colonies.
Outlines
🗺️ Early Geographic History of France
The script begins by discussing the historical influence of France on the world and how its borders have changed over time. It introduces a series exploring the geographic history of countries, starting with France due to its interesting past. The video will cover territories under French influence, even if not directly controlled. The first leader to unite what would become France was Clovis I, who began his reign in 481 and expanded his kingdom by conquering the Southwest from the Visigoths and making Paris the capital. However, upon his death, the kingdom split among his sons, leading to a pattern of unification and division that continued until the mid-700s. The Carolingian dynasty, led by Charlemagne, marked the first significant expansion of France, but this too was temporary. The script also mentions the Hundred Years' War and the territorial gains and losses during this period, including the rise and fall of the Angevin Empire and the eventual reestablishment of French control over its territory.
🌍 Expansion and Colonialism of France
After 1500, France continued to expand its European territory through military conquest, diplomacy, and strategic marriages. The script highlights the acquisition of territories such as Artois, Alsace, Lorraine, and Corsica. It also discusses France's overseas expansion, starting with a colonial foothold in Canada and the establishment of New France. Despite initial growth, French colonies in North America lagged behind British colonies in development and population. The script recounts the loss of Canadian territories to Britain and the eventual sale of French territory in North America to the United States in 1803. It also covers Napoleon's conquests in Europe and the subsequent loss of these territories after his defeat in 1815. The late 1800s saw France expand its colonial empire in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the South Pacific, although it experienced minor territorial changes in Europe.
🏰 Post-War France and the End of Colonialism
The script concludes by discussing France's territorial changes in the 20th century. After World War I, France regained Alsace-Lorraine but lost its Indochinese territories to Japan, which were later reclaimed. World War II saw France suffer complete territorial loss due to German occupation, but after the war, all its colonies were restored. Post-war France did not expand; instead, it began to lose its colonies, with most African colonies gaining independence between 1950 and 1960. The script notes that today, France still holds territories in South America, the Caribbean, South Pacific, Indian Ocean, and an island off the coast of Canada. It reflects on the complex geographic history of France and sets the stage for the next video, which will explore the geographic history of the United States.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Clovis the First
💡Carolingian Dynasty
💡Hundred Years War
💡New France
💡Napoleon Bonaparte
💡Alsace-Lorraine
💡French Colonial Empire
💡World War I
💡World War II
💡Decolonization
💡French Guiana
Highlights
France has a complex and extensive history of territorial changes.
Clovis I was the first leader to unite what would become France.
Paris was officially made the capital during Clovis's reign.
After Clovis's death, the kingdom was split among his sons.
The early Frankish kingdom was characterized by a cycle of unification and division.
Under Clothar I, the Frankish kingdom was briefly reunited.
The Carolingian dynasty led to France's first major expansion.
The empire of Charlemagne included much of modern-day Germany, Italy, and Spain.
The Treaty of Verdun in 843 led to the division of the Carolingian Empire into three kingdoms.
The 10th century saw France begin to resemble its modern borders.
The Angevin Empire resulted in the loss of Western France to England.
Philip II reconquered much of Western France by 1214.
The Hundred Years War began in 1337, with England invading France.
Joan of Arc played a pivotal role in repelling the English and reclaiming French territory.
By 1453, France had re-established control over its territory.
France expanded in Europe through military conquest, diplomacy, and strategic marriages after 1500.
France's colonial ambitions began with New France in North America.
France lost its North American territories to Britain after a series of wars.
Napoleon Bonaparte led France to its largest territorial expansion in the early 1800s.
France's colonial empire expanded to include parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.
France began to lose its colonies after World War II.
Today, France still holds territories in South America, the Caribbean, South Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Canada.
Transcripts
France has made a huge impact on the
world but while the France of today is
mostly centered in Europe with some
exceptions it has grown expanded and
contracted through the centuries in
another timeline France could have
looked very differently so how did
France get from this to this
[Music]
welcome to geography by Jeff today we're
starting a new series on how a country's
influence borders and Geographic space
changes over time every single country
that exists today has changed at one
point or another we'll be going through
every single country in the world to see
how they got to where they are today
starting with France because well they
have a pretty interesting geographic
history note that this video will
include territories that France had
influence over even if it never directly
controlled them and also we won't be
going over every single Small Change we
just don't have the time for that and of
course before we dive into the episode
be sure to check out the what if
geography podcast that I co-host with my
colleague Hunter shobi new episodes of
the podcast Premiere every Wednesday and
you can catch those right here on
YouTube Spotify Apple podcasts or
wherever you get your podcasts
[Music]
the very first leader to make himself
king of what would later become France
was Clovis the first who began his reign
in 481 Clovis would later conquer the
Southwest portion of France from the
Visigoths and made himself master of
what is now Western Germany it was
during clovis's Reign that Paris was
officially made capital of his kingdom
but this form of a United Frankish
Kingdom wouldn't last beyond Clovis upon
his death in the year 509 the kingdom
was split into four kingdoms of roughly
equal size one given to each of his sons
the four new Kings of Francia each laid
their capitals for their new many
kingdoms within Paris or Leon Rimes and
soizan and while they were never
directly warring with each other the
four kingdoms were often Rivals with
each trying to figure out how they could
potentially acquire the other's Land by
558 one brother clothar managed to
reunite all four kingdoms under him
after a series of underhanded tactics
such as murdering his brother's
successors to gain the land himself
through the right of succession under
clothar bran was reunited once again
right up until 561 when he died and the
kingdom was once again split up if
you're noticing a trend here you're
right the early beginnings of France was
one of constant uniting under a king
only for that King to die and then the
kingdom to split up this happened Time
and Time and Time and Time Again
basically up until the mid 700s when the
Frankish kingdoms would be reunited
under the carolingian dynasty which
would eventually be led by Charles the
great under Charles the great France had
its first ever major expansion the
carolingian Empire would eventually take
over much of Central Europe including
much of modern day Germany much of Italy
and Northern parts of Spain when many
more tributary States but alas it was
not meant to stay forever Charles the
great died in 814 and just a few decades
later in 843 after much Civil War the
Empire broke up into three kingdoms Wes
Francia middle Francia and East Francia
these three kingdoms would eventually
become the kingdoms of France the
Kingdom of Italy and the Holy Roman
Empire respectively
[Music]
after the year 900 France underwent a
number of significant territorial
expansions it's during this period that
France begins to resemble the France we
know today one of the most significant
events that happened during this period
was the rise of the ungovan empire the
empire was established by Henry II of
England but had his ancestry based in
Normandy under the angavan Empire the
kingdom of France lost most of what is
today Western France during the mid
1100s but by 1214 Philip II of France
would reconquer much of this territory
leaving the ungovan Empire stuck on
England with a relatively small outpost
on Accutane this would definitely not be
the end of the England France conflicts
beginning in 1337 the Hundred Years War
Began between the two countries while
still owning Accutane England decided to
invade France right across from the
English Channel this Invasion would
progress over the years to the point
where in 1429 much of northern France
was controlled by the English this would
include Paris this is also the period of
time when Joan of Arc would make an
appearance later to become the patron
saint of France by 1453 France had
successfully repelled the English and
re-established its dominion over
basically everywhere including Accutane
this period of time was especially
tumultuous where early France was in
constant bickering mode between various
Frankish Kings the medieval period was
marked by countless Wars with
neighboring countries primarily the
English it's this period that would
really set in motion the long stand
rivalry between the two countries that
still kind of persist to today albeit in
relatively minor ways whew let's take a
quick break because we've covered a lot
of territory but if you can believe it a
lot is still yet to come there are so
many little Wars and details that have
shaped France these are just the big
ones and we're still on Europe as you
can imagine we're about to go Global but
of course if you're enjoying this video
hit that subscribe button more fun
geography videos are just a single click
away
[Music]
after the year 1500 France continued to
expand its European territory through a
combination of military conquest
diplomatic means and strategic marriages
and oh boy was there a lot of all of
that but it was during this period of
time that European France really became
the France that we know today this would
include the acquisition of Artois in the
far north of France in 1659 much of the
Northeast areas of modern-day France
such as Alsace in 1675 and Lorraine in
1766 and the island of Corsica in 1768.
and fun fact it was during this period
of time that France was briefly ordered
on both its Southern border and its
northern border by Spain which will be
an episode of its own someday the region
of Alsace Lorraine it's worth pointing
out would trade back and forth between
France and various Germanic States
multiple times over the decades but
while homegrown territorial gains are
important this is also the period of
time that France began to focus more on
overseas expansion and the establishment
of its colonies while France attempted
to establish colonies in both modern-day
Brazil and Florida during the mid-1500s
it really wasn't until 1605 that it got
its Colonial foothold in modern day Nova
Scotia Canada from there France really
began to spread its colonies in North
America this area would later be called
New France New France would continue to
grow its land but its population and
development lacked far behind the
British colonies to the south and east
at its height in 1712 New France
contained much of modern day Eastern
Canada all the way through the
Mississippi River Valley to Modern Day
New Orleans Louisiana but after a series
of wars with England France lost all of
its Canadian territories to Britain with
only a large swath of land of North
America left France opted to sell the
territory to the new United States in
1803 thus ending its Colonial Empire in
North America for the most part at the
same time however France would also
begin its Colonial Ambitions elsewhere
this would include South America where
it took control of what is today called
French Guiana in Western Africa around
the current area of Senegal and on the
Southeast coast of India France would
not be able to keep its influence in
India but would continue to expand its
colonies in in Africa and eventually
southeast Asia back home France
experienced its largest territorial
expansion under the leadership of
Napoleon Bonaparte in the early 1800s
Napoleon conquered a large part of
Europe including much of Italy Spain and
Central Europe unfortunately for
Napoleon despite his initial success
France's territorial expansion
ultimately proved to be short-lived
after his defeat in 1815 much of the
territory he had conquered was returned
to the control of other European
countries
[Music]
thank you in the late 1800s France did
not change all that much in Europe there
were of course minor expansions and
contractions here and there but overall
things were pretty stable relative to
previous centuries but France did
continue to expand its Colonial Empire
during this time France managed to
establish colonial rule over New
Caledonia in the South Pacific as well
as colonies in Vietnam and Cambodia
meanwhile back in Africa France
continued to expand its pre-existing
colonies to include much of Western
Africa by 1914 modern day Algeria
Tunisia Mali Mauritania Senegal Niger
Chad Burkina Faso cotevoir Guinea
Central African Republic Republic of
Congo Gabon Djibouti and Madagascar were
all part of the French Colonial Empire
but the first half of the 1900s would
prove to be a tumultuous one during
World War One France reacquired the
region of Alsace Lorraine from Germany
this region has been a source of
conflict between the two countries for
many years and had been annexed by
Germany in the late 19th century however
it was returned to France following
Germany's defeat in World War One France
also suffered some territorial losses
during the war one of the most
significant losses were its territories
in Indochina to Japan however upon the
end of the war France reacquired these
territories overall World War One did
not dramatically change France's
territory all that much during World War
II however France suffered complete
territorial loss as a result of the
German occupation of much of the country
the northern part of France was
controlled directly by Nazi Germany
while the southern part was controlled
by a Nazi sympathizing government called
Vichy France France also lost basically
all of its colonies in Africa and Asia
luckily for France the Allies would
eventually win against the Axis powers
during World War II in France and all
its overseas colonies were restored in
1945
[Music]
foreign since the end of World War II
France would really not continue any
expansion instead as with most major
European powers France would begin to
shed its remaining colonies it once held
dominion over between 1950 and 1960
France lost all of its French colonies
in Africa except for Djibouti which it
would later lose in 1977 in Asia France
would lose its Indochina territories by
1954 which would lay the foundation for
the Vietnam War to kickoff in 1955 and
that's basically the last major
contraction of French territory in the
world today France continues to exist
within Europe but it also continues to
hold a large piece of South America in
French Guiana and fun fact France's
longest border with another country is
actually with Brazil because of this
territory France also continues to hold
a number of Caribbean South Pacific
Indian Ocean and a single small island
off the coast of Newfoundland Canada and
that's how France acquired the land it
currently owns today Francis had a
complicated geographic history to say
the very least this video didn't cover
everything but I hope it at least gave
you an idea of how Francis changed over
the centuries next time we're going to
explore the geographic history of the
United States it'll likely throw a few
surprises at you so stay tuned I hope
you enjoyed learning about how France
evolved over the centuries if you did
please subscribe to my channel and if
you want to watch more of my videos you
can do so here thanks for watching see
you next time
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