The Entire History of France in 23 Minutes

Summary

This script traces the tumultuous history of France from the fall of the Roman Empire through the rise of the Franks, the dominance of Charlemagne, and the struggles of the Carolingian dynasty. It highlights key events like the Hundred Years' War with England, the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the French Revolution, leading to the rise and fall of Napoleon. The narrative continues through the world wars, decolonization, and the establishment of the French Fifth Republic, offering a sweeping view of France's evolution as a nation.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The Franks, a Germanic people, established their rule in the region now known as France after the fall of the Roman Empire, leading to the rise of the Merovingian and later Carolingian dynasties.
• 👑 Charlemagne's coronation as Emperor of the Romans in 800 AD marked a high point of power for the Carolingian Dynasty and the Kingdom of the Franks.
• 👶 Hugh Capet's election as king in 987 initiated a period of weak royal authority, with power concentrated in the hands of influential electors and the clergy.
• 🛡️ The Norman invasion of England in 1066 sparked centuries of rivalry and conflict between France and England, including the Hundred Years' War.
• 🗡️ The assassination of Louis of Orléans in 1407 and the subsequent civil war highlighted the power struggles within France during the Middle Ages.
• 🏰 Joan of Arc's intervention in the Hundred Years' War was pivotal for French morale and eventual victory, despite her tragic end.
• 🌏 The Renaissance marked a golden age for French art and culture, coinciding with France's exploration of the New World.
• 🔱 The Habsburg-Valois rivalry, fueled by territorial claims and political marriages, led to over 65 years of conflict between France and the Habsburgs.
• 🕉️ The Protestant Reformation and the subsequent French Wars of Religion caused significant internal strife, culminating in the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre and Henry IV's Edict of Nantes.
• 👶 Louis XIV, known for his absolute rule and the famous quote 'L'état, c'est moi', had the longest reign of any European monarch, shaping France's political landscape.
• ⚔️ The French Revolution, with its quest for liberty, equality, and fraternity, led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, whose military dictatorship and eventual defeat reshaped Europe.

Q & A

Who were the Germanic people that inhabited the region of modern-day France after the Roman Empire's collapse?

The Germanic people that inhabited the region of modern-day France after the Roman Empire's collapse were known as the Franks.

What dynasty ruled the united Frankish kingdoms before the Carolingian dynasty?

The Merovingian dynasty ruled the united Frankish kingdoms before the Carolingian dynasty.

Who was the most powerful man in Europe during the early years of the Carolingian dynasty?

Charlemagne was the most powerful man in Europe during the early years of the Carolingian dynasty, becoming Emperor of the Romans in 800 AD.

What significant event in French history occurred on Christmas Day, 800 AD?

On Christmas Day, 800 AD, Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the Romans, marking a significant event in French history.

Who was the first king of the Capetian dynasty and why is he significant?

Hugh Capet was the first king of the Capetian dynasty. He is significant because he was elected by the lords of France in 987, marking the end of the Carolingian dynasty.

What event marked the beginning of the Hundred Years' War between France and England?

The Hundred Years' War between France and England began in 1337 when the French declared a state of war following disagreements over the succession of the French throne.

Who was the French king that was captured by the English during the Hundred Years' War?

The French king who was captured by the English during the Hundred Years' War was not explicitly named in the script, but it is historically known to be King John II.

What was the significance of the Battle of Agincourt in the context of the script?

The Battle of Agincourt was significant in the context of the script as it showcased the English military superiority over France and the Burgundians' lack of support for the French.

Who was Joan of Arc and what role did she play in the Hundred Years' War?

Joan of Arc was a 16-year-old girl who claimed to have heard voices from God to drive out the English from France. She played a crucial role in boosting French morale and turning the tide of the Hundred Years' War.

What was the outcome of the Treaty of Utrecht and its impact on France and Spain?

The Treaty of Utrecht resulted in Spain losing lands and no longer having a Habsburg monarch. France joined an alliance against Spain, leading to a decisive defeat for Spain and the end of its status as a Great Power.

What was the impact of the French Revolution on the political structure of France?

The French Revolution led to the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of the First French Republic. It also resulted in significant social and political reforms, including the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The Rise and Fall of Kingdoms: Franks to Capetians

This paragraph outlines the transition from the fall of the Roman Empire to the establishment of the Frankish kingdoms, their unification under the Merovingian dynasty, and subsequent expansion. It details the challenges faced by the Carolingian Dynasty, leading to the division of the kingdom into three parts, focusing on West Francia. The reign of Charlemagne, crowned Emperor of the Romans, is highlighted, as is the eventual decline of the Carolingian Dynasty and the rise of Hugh Capet, whose limited power base and reliance on the clergy marked a significant shift in governance.

05:02

🛡️ Wars and Rivalries: From the Norman Conquest to the Hundred Years' War

The paragraph delves into the Norman invasion of England in 1066 and the ensuing centuries-long rivalry between France and England, culminating in the Hundred Years' War. It discusses the Crusades' initial success and eventual failure, the dispute over the French throne between Philip of Valois and Edward III, and the fluctuating fortunes of war, including the capture of the French king. The regency for the mentally ill Charles VI and the power struggle between Burgundy and Orléans, leading to civil war and the infamous Battle of Agincourt, are also covered. The paragraph concludes with the emergence of Joan of Arc and the decisive French victory in 1453, effectively ending the war and English claims to the French throne.

10:04

🌏 Geopolitical Struggles: Habsburg Encirclement and the Italian Wars

This section discusses the growing rivalry with the Austrian House of Habsburg, who, through strategic marriages, began to surround France. The death of Charles the Bold and the subsequent marriage of his daughter to Maximilian I of Austria significantly increased Habsburg landholdings bordering France. The paragraph also covers the wars in Italy, where French kings had claims to Naples and Milan, leading to over 65 years of conflict. The ascension of Charles V as Holy Roman Emperor further complicated the situation, as France found itself encircled by territories under Charles V's control, resulting in additional wars in Italy.

15:05

🏛️ The French Renaissance and the Wars of Religion

The paragraph explores the golden age of French art and culture during the Renaissance and the beginning of French exploration in the New World. It also addresses the Protestant Reformation and its impact on France, where tensions between Catholics and Protestants, or Huguenots, escalated into a full-blown civil war. The persecution of Huguenots under Francis I, the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, and the eventual conversion of Henry IV to Catholicism to secure his rule are highlighted. The Edict of Nantes, which granted some rights to Huguenots, and its eventual revocation by Louis XIV, leading to significant economic repercussions, are also discussed.

20:07

👑 Absolute Monarchy and the Downfall of the Bourbons

The paragraph details the reign of Louis XIV, known for his absolute rule and the longest reign of any European monarch. It covers his early life, the influence of his mother and Cardinal Mazarin, and the impact of the Fronde, a revolt against the regency. Louis XIV's policy of One King, One Law, One Faith, the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and his involvement in several wars that expanded France's borders are also mentioned. The paragraph concludes with the War of the Spanish Succession, which, despite initial setbacks, ended with France maintaining its influence, albeit with significant territorial and economic costs.

⚔️ The Age of Revolutions: From the Enlightenment to the Napoleonic Era

This section covers the tumultuous period from the Enlightenment to the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. It discusses the financial crisis leading to the calling of the Estates General, the formation of the National Assembly, and the eventual abolition of feudalism and the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. The paragraph also details the radical phase of the revolution, including the Reign of Terror under the Jacobins and the rise of Napoleon, who established a military dictatorship and was crowned Emperor of France. His military successes, the Battle of Austerlitz, and the establishment of the Continental System are highlighted, as is his ultimate defeat at Waterloo and his exile to Saint Helena.

🌍 The 19th Century: Shifting Alliances and Colonial Expansion

The paragraph explores the geopolitical shifts of the 19th century, including the维也纳会议 and the July Revolution that led to the establishment of the July Monarchy under Louis Philippe. It discusses the French colonization of Algeria and the complications of decolonization, particularly the Algerian War for Independence and the crisis that led to the fall of the Fourth Republic. The paragraph concludes with the establishment of the Fifth Republic under Charles de Gaulle and France's evolving role in the world.

Keywords

💡Franks

The Franks were a group of Germanic tribes who played a pivotal role in the formation of the medieval kingdom of Francia, which is central to the video's theme of French history. They are defined as the people who inhabited the region that is now France after the fall of the Roman Empire. In the script, the Franks' rise to power and the establishment of the Frankish kingdoms are key to understanding the early political landscape of the region.

💡Merovingian dynasty

The Merovingian dynasty refers to the first ruling dynasty of the Frankish kingdom, which unified several Frankish tribes and expanded their territories. This dynasty is crucial to the script's narrative as it sets the stage for the later Carolingian dynasty. The script mentions the Merovingian rule lasting for 300 years and its significance in the early unification of the Frankish territories.

💡Carolingian Dynasty

The Carolingian Dynasty succeeded the Merovingians and is exemplified by the reign of Charlemagne, who became a central figure in European history. The term is defined by the script as the rulers who divided the Frankish kingdom into three parts, with West Francia being the precursor to modern France. The Carolingian Dynasty's division of the kingdom is a key concept in understanding the political fragmentation and eventual formation of distinct French identity.

💡Charlemagne

Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, is a historical figure of great importance in the script. He is defined as the King of the Franks who became the most powerful man in Europe during his reign, culminating in his crowning as Emperor of the Romans in 800 AD. Charlemagne's reign is a central theme in the video, illustrating the peak of Frankish power and influence.

💡Hundred Years’ War

The Hundred Years’ War is a significant historical conflict between France and England, which is mentioned in the script as a rivalry that lasted for several centuries. This term is defined as a series of intermittent wars that shaped the political and military history of both nations. In the script, the war is used to illustrate the long-standing enmity and territorial disputes between France and England.

💡Crusades

The Crusades were a series of religious wars sanctioned by the Latin Church, which the script mentions as having involved the French. This term refers to a series of military campaigns during the medieval period, with the aim of reclaiming the Holy Land from Muslim rule. The script uses the Crusades to highlight the religious and political motivations of the time, as well as the military engagements of the French.

💡Habsburgs

The Habsburgs, or House of Habsburg, are a European royal house that played a significant role in the political landscape of France, as mentioned in the script. They are defined by their extensive land holdings and political influence, which at times encircled France. The script uses the Habsburgs to illustrate the geopolitical rivalries and the impact of dynastic politics on French history.

💡Renaissance

The Renaissance is a period of cultural, artistic, political, and economic rebirth in Europe, which is referenced in the script as France's golden age of art and culture. This term is defined as a time of great creativity and learning, with France being a significant center for artistic and intellectual development. The script uses the Renaissance to show the cultural flowering and the impact on French identity and heritage.

💡Ancien Régime

The Ancien Régime refers to the ancient form of government in France, characterized by the concentration of power among the clergy, nobility, and the monarchy, as mentioned in the script. This term is defined by the social and political hierarchy that existed before the French Revolution. The script uses the Ancien Régime to illustrate the social inequalities and the structure of power that led to the revolution.

💡Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte is a key historical figure in the script, defined as a military and political leader who rose to power during the French Revolution and became the Emperor of France. His name is synonymous with the era of the First French Empire and his military campaigns had a profound impact on European history. The script uses Napoleon to illustrate the shift from republican ideals to imperial rule and the impact of his conquests on the continent.

💡Versailles Treaty

The Treaty of Versailles is an important peace treaty mentioned in the script, which marked the end of World War I and imposed heavy penalties on Germany. This term is defined by the conditions set for the defeated Central Powers, including the war guilt clause and reparations. The script uses the Treaty of Versailles to illustrate the post-war settlement and its implications for future conflicts.

Highlights

The Franks, a Germanic people, established their kingdom in the region now known as France after the fall of the Roman Empire.

The Merovingian dynasty unified several Frankish kingdoms and expanded the Kingdom of the Franks.

Charlemagne became King of the Franks in 768 and was crowned Emperor of the Romans in 800 AD, marking a significant rise in power.

The Carolingian dynasty ended in 987 with the election of Hugh Capet, whose authority was initially limited to Paris and Orléans.

The Norman invasion of England in 1066 initiated centuries of rivalry and conflict between France and England.

The Hundred Years' War and the Crusades marked significant military engagements for France, with mixed outcomes.

The Battle of Agincourt and the assassination of Louis of Orléans highlighted internal power struggles and external conflicts.

Joan of Arc's leadership in the Hundred Years' War led to a turning point for France, despite her ultimate capture and execution.

The Habsburg-Valois rivalry, including the Italian Wars, showcased prolonged conflict over land and influence.

The French Renaissance and exploration of the New World represented cultural and geographical expansion.

The Protestant Reformation and the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre were key events in France's religious conflicts.

The Edict of Nantes and its later revocation by Louis XIV had significant implications for religious freedom in France.

Louis XIV's reign as an absolute monarch and his policy of 'One King, One Law, One Faith' shaped France's political and religious landscape.

The French Revolution and the subsequent Reign of Terror marked a radical shift in France's political system.

Napoleon Bonaparte's rise and fall as Emperor of France had profound effects on European politics and the balance of power.

The Congress of Vienna and the establishment of the French Fifth Republic represented efforts to restore order and redefine France's governance.

France's involvement in both World Wars and the process of decolonisation in the mid-20th century reshaped its global role and domestic policies.

Transcripts

Upon the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD, the Germanic people, known

as the Franks, came to inhabit the region that is today the country of France. The entire

area had been virtually abandoned, which saw the rise of several tribal Frankish kingdoms.

After some time, these kingdoms become united as one under the Merovingian dynasty, and

even expanded far beyond its origins. Ruling for some 300 years, the Kingdom of the Franks

became too large, and communication became impossible. Now ruled by the Carolingian Dynasty,

the Kingdom was divided into three, with West Francia being the one we’re going to focus

on.

Perhaps the most well known King this early in history is Charlemagne, who became King

of the Franks in 768, and became unquestionably the most powerful man in Europe at the time,

when, on Christmas Day, 800 AD, he was crowned Emperor of the Romans

After the death of Charlemagne, the Carolingian dynasty was weak and finally came to an end

in 987, when Hugh Capet was elected by the lords of France.

As king, he actually had very little power. His authority barely extended beyond Paris

and Orléans. His power came from the influential electors who voted him into the position,

and more importantly, the clergy.

In 1066, the Normans invaded England, which resulted in on-and-off fighting between France

and England, starting a rivalry that would last for several centuries, eventually culminating

in the Hundred Years’ War.

Oh, and they also played a huge part in the Crusades to recover the Holy Land from Muslim

rule, which was initially very successful... and then a horrible failure.

After the death of Charles IV, the throne of France was claimed by both Philip of Valois,

and Edward III, king of England.

After some disagreements, the French declared a state of war in 1337. The English showed

their military superiority over France, winning several victories in battle and even capturing

the French king at one point. A truce was signed in 1360, as Edward renounced his claim

to the French throne, and England were awarded substantial French land, land which would

be almost entirely recovered by France in the next half-century.

In 1393, a regency was put into place for the French King, Charles VI, who was incapable

of ruling due to his mental illness, so the Queen ruled on his behalf.

A power struggle between Burgundy and Orléans resulted in a civil war when John the Fearless

had Louis of Orléans assassinated in 1407. In the infamous Battle of Agincourt, the Burgundians

did nothing to try and stop the English, who were once again heavily defeating the French.

John the Fearless captured Paris in 1418, and declared himself regent of Charles the

Mad, but John was later murdered by a friend of the king.

Seeking revenge, John’s son, Philip the Good, sought an alliance with England, as

the English King was recognised as the heir to the French throne.

Both Charles VI and Henry V died in 1422. The 9-month-old Henry VI was crowned king

of France in Paris (having already been crowned as king of England), while Charles VII was

crowned in Reims.

Hostilities in the war started up again, and French morale was boosted by the emergence

of a 16-year-old girl named Joan of Arc, who claimed to have heard voices from God to drive

out the English from France. The French did indeed turn things around and would eventually

win the war. Unfortunately for Joan herself, she was captured by the Burgundians and later

burned at the stake by the English…

Burgundy made peace with France, and the last major battle took place in 1453 with a decisive

French victory, effectively ending the war, and English claims to the French throne.

Towards the end of the 15th century, France had themselves a problem: a rapidly growing

rival right at their doorstep. The Austrian House of Habsburg, through various political

marriages over the years, began to encircle France. In 1477, with the death of Charles

the Bold, the last male heir of Burgundy, his daughter married Archduke of Austria,

Maximilian I, giving the Habsburgs huge amounts of the land on France’s borders.

This, coupled with the fact that various French kings had claims to various part of Italy,

most notably Naples and Milan, resulted in over 65 years of wars between the French and

the Habsburgs, in a rivalry that would last several centuries.

When Charles V became Holy Roman Emperor in 1519, having previously become the King of

Spain, the French were completely surrounded by lands that were directly or indirectly

under his control.

This resulted in yet more wars in Italy, now with the French King Francis I. Overall the

Habsburgs came out ahead, and France would continue to be surrounded.

During this time was when France experienced a golden age of art and culture known as the

Renaissance, and was also when France began to explore the New World.

In the 16th century, the Protestant Reformation caused many countries in Europe to turn their

back on the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Pope. Although France remained mostly

Catholic, Protestants made up a substantial minority, causing tensions which eventually

led to an all-out civil war.

The tensions began with the persecution of French Protestants, also known as Huguenots,

under the reign of Francis I. Merely being Protestant was punishable by imprisonment

or even execution.

The war broke out in 1562, when Francis of Guise (who briefly ruled France as regent

to the young Francis II), massacred 60 Huguenots. Francis himself was assassinated the very

next year.

After a brief period of uneasy peace, the Huguenots hatched a plan to capture the king

and the Queen Mother, but when this failed, they massacred 24 Catholic priests and monks,

starting the civil war up again.

Attempting to ease tensions, King Charles IX arranged for the marriage of his sister

to the Protestant Henry of Navarre. This delighted Protestants but horrified Catholics

The King ordered the killings of some of the Huguenot leaders, but spiraled way out of

control and turned into a 3-day massacre of about 30,000 Huguenots. The massacre was organised

by the Guises, and was widely suspected to have been assisted by the Queen Mother.

Charles IX died in 1574, making Henry III king. With the death of their younger brother

Francis, and the fact that Henry was already in his 30s and yet to produce an heir, the

next in the line to the throne became, quite unbelievably, the king’s ninth cousin (and

also brother-in-law), Henry of Navarre.

This period of the war is sometimes referred to as the War of Three Henrys. Henry III,

Henry of Guise, and Henry of Navarre.

The King had Henry of Guise assassinated, and fled from Paris into hiding, but he himself

was assassinated by a knife to the abdomen. As he was dying, he instructed his senior

officers to be loyal to Henry of Navarre, who became King Henry IV, and he converted

to Catholicism, famously stating that “Paris is worth a Mass”.

The King passed the Edict of Nantes, which granted some rights to Huguenots, which pleased

neither side, and tensions remained high. Henry IV was assassinated in 1610.

Before his death, colonisation of the New World began under his rule, and continued

for several decades afterwards.

The Thirty Years’ War started between the various Protestant and Catholic states of

the Holy Roman Empire, and was mostly a religious war, but later escalated into a continent-wide

power struggle, becoming less about religion, and more about politics.

France, although a Catholic nation, sided with the Protestants. The reason for this

-- the Habsburgs. Countering their long-term rival was more important.

The Thirty Years’ War was one of the most destructive wars Europe had ever seen with

approximately 8 million deaths, and the result of the war was… inconclusive.

The Peace of Westphalia granted some territory to France, Switzerland became independent

from the Empire, and the independence of the Dutch Republic was recognised.

More than just territorial changes though, the Thirty Years’ War was a real turning

point in European history, both in terms of religion and politics. It put an end to the

violence of the Protestant Reformation and more generally was the beginning of freedom

of religion.

Politically, it was arguably the first war that really highlighted the importance of

the Balance of Power, the necessity of ensuring that one single nation doesn’t become too

powerful to dominate all of the others.

After 23 years of marriage and four stillbirths, the Queen of France finally gave birth to

the nation’s future king: Louis XIV, who ruled France for 72 years, the longest reigning

monarch of European history.

This impressive feat was helped by the fact that his father died just a few years after

his birth, as he became King of France at just 4 years old. During his minority, the

country was ruled by his mother, Anne of Austria, and Cardinal Mazarin, the country’s chief

minister.

In 1648, Paris rose up in revolt, because the country was sick of being ruled by a Spaniard

and an Italian, as well as increased taxes to pay for the debt of several decades of

war.

The revolt was suppressed, and didn’t really achieve much, however, it had a huge impact

on the now 10-year-old king Louis. He vowed to be a king that would never be revolted

against.

Louis XIV became known for being an absolute monarch, and was the most powerful king in

all of French history. He is often quoted as saying “L'état, c'est moi” -- “I

am the State”.

Louis XIV was a devout Catholic and believed in his policy of One King, One Law, One Faith,

and, to that end, he revoked the Edict of Nantes issued by his grandfather, Henry IV,

causing a mass exodus of over 400,000 Huguenots and major economic problems.

Louis XIV was involved in several wars during his long reign, which expanded France’s

borders to their near modern-day extent. First, there was a war against Spain, then against

the Dutch, a war against… basically all of Europe, and most importantly of all: the

War of the Spanish Succession.

The Spanish King died in 1700, without any heirs to succeed him, probably due to several

generations of inbreeding, but anyway, he left in his will the entire Spanish Empire

to Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV. Having a joint monarchy of France and Spain

would seriously upset the balance of power. So, the Grand Alliance that had been formed

against France in the Nine Years’ War, regrouped in support of their candidate for the Spanish

throne: the Archduke of Austria, Charles, of the Habsburg House.

Now despite the odds being severely stacked against them, and despite suffering some heavy

defeats early on, France actually managed to hold their own, and after nearly a decade

of war, fighting had basically become deadlocked.

In 1711, the situation completely changed. The Holy Roman Emperor Joseph I, unexpectedly

died of smallpox at the age of 32, and the Archduke Charles became the new Holy Roman

Emperor.

Great Britain immediately backed out of the war against France, and pressured their allies

to do the same. The whole reason they were fighting against France was to prevent one

monarch becoming too strong and disrupting the balance of power, but now the Habsburgs

had the potential to become even more powerful than France could have ever been. Negotiations

had to be made.

An agreement was made where Philip would become the king of Spain, but had to renounce his

claim to the throne of France for himself and his ancestors.

One year after the war ended, Louis XIV died at the age of 76. And, having outlived his

son, grandson, and even his first great grandson, was succeeded by his second great grandson,

Louis XV.

Now that Spain no longer had a Habsburg monarch, they sought to retake lands that they had

lost in the Treaty Utrecht, and France actually joined the an alliance against Spain and their

fellow Bourbon monarch. The Spanish were decisively defeated, and Spain was no longer the Great

Power it once was.

Yet another war of succession broke out, this time in Poland, although very little of the

fighting actually took place in Poland, it was primarily fought between France and Austria,

and their respectively allies. The Austrian backed Augustus III took the throne, but French

backed Stanisław was made Duke of Lorraine, which would be inherited by France on his

death.

France once again was at war with Austria, this time the Austrians themselves had a succession

crisis. Charles VI was the last male of the Habsburg House. To ensure the inheritance

of their land, they passed the Pragmatic Sanction in 1713, allowing daughters to inherit their

vast possessions. While most initially accepted this, when Maria Theresa ascended to the throne

in 1740, a war ensued between all major European powers. The French led the alliance against

Maria, in favour of the new Holy Roman Emperor, Charles VII, price-elector of Bavaria. After

7 years of war, Maria successfully defended her Habsburg inheritance.

Speaking of wars that lasted seven years, there was also the Seven Years’ War in 1756…

which lasted seven years. This war was strange though because the alliance from the last

war completely flipped. Long-term rival Austria, was actually allied with France, with the

British and Prussians allied with each other.

The Seven Years’ War was a truly global conflict The war has even been described by

some as “World War Zero”.

Although some minor skirmishes happened in North America between the French and British

colonies, the war really took off between Austria and Prussia over Silesia.

Unfortunately for the French, the war was lost, and Britain became the superior colonial

power, as France was forced to cede the majority of its colonial possessions to Britain and

Spain.

Although the British won the war, it was financially devastating for them. The increase in taxes

on the colonial subjects soon became one of the factors which led to American Revolution.

Keen for revenge against Britain, France was more than happy to help.

For centuries France had been ruled by a political and social system known as the Ancien Régime,

in which the power was concentrated with the wealthy and privileged. The people were divided

into three estates: the clergy, nobility, and… everyone else. The first two estates

made up about 3% of the population, and had huge tax exemptions, with the third estate

paying most of the taxes. Taxes which had increased due to their support of the American

Revolution.

The age of enlightenment caused many people to question the King’s right to rule, the

Church’s influence in politics, and the entire nature of the hierarchical structure

of French society.

Attempting to solve the country’s financial crisis, the King gathered the Estates General,

the king’s advisory body (which hadn’t met since 1614) which consisted of representatives

from all three estates. Disagreements however caused the third estate to leave and form

their own government, declaring themselves the National Assembly, and vowed not to give

up until France had a constitution.

Shorty afterwards, the king dismissed his financial minister, Jacques Necker, which

causes riots in Paris and three days later, the Storming of the Bastille.

In August of 1789, feudalism was abolished, and the Assembly adopted the Declaration of

the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

The king, beginning to fear for his life, attempted to flee the country, but was discovered

and captured. This outraged the people and a petition drive to depose of the king was

organised, but things got out of hand, and 50 people were shot dead, as the revolutionaries

began to split into various factions.

Austria and Prussia vowed to help the king by invading France if his life was threatened.

So France just went ahead and invaded Austria, because why not.

In 1792, the monarchy was abolished and France was declared a republic. King Louis XVI was

found guilty of high treason, and was executed by guillotine.

This is when things took a turn for the worse, when the radical revolutionaries (known as

Jacobins) seized power and began to execute just about anybody in period known as The

Terror, led by the ironically named Committee of Public Safety, headed by Maximilien Robespierre.

A process of dechristianisation began, even creating a new calendar, and new days of the

week. This led to counter-revolutions and eventually, on the 9th of Thermidor Year II,

Robespierre was denounced by his own people, and later he himself was executed, ending

the Reign of Terror.

Outside of France, the French army were actually having great success despite a large coalition

of nations fighting against them, largely due to the leadership of a certain military

commander, known as Napoléon Bonaparte.

Napoleon went on to take control of France by a coup d'état, declaring himself First

Consul of France.

The French Revolution sought to stop one man from having absolute power, but they had effectively

just swapped one for another. Napoleon’s rule of France was very much a military dictatorship,

he was a king in all but name. 5 years after seizing power, Napoleon assumed the imperial

title, being crowned Emperor of France.

During his rule, he was almost constantly at war with most of Europe, as no less than

seven coalitions formed against him, as the various monarchies of Europe fought to protect

the status quo.

Napoleon was initially incredibly successful, and for a long time, undefeated in battle.

He moved across Europe, creating puppet states and installing his family members as royalty

of the countries he conquered. His greatest victory was in the Battle of Austerlitz, which

led to the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire.

Securing victories against Austria, Prussia, and Russia, the only real threat to the Napoleon

was Great Britain. A planned invasion of the the British Isles had to be called off after

the entire French fleet was destroyed in the Battle of Trafalgar

France instead opted for economic warfare, with the introduction of the Continental System,

which forbade European countries from trading with the British.

In 1812, Napoleon invaded Russia for refusing to adhere to the blockade on trade with Great

Britain. This turned out to be a fatal mistake, as Napoleon lost half a million men in the

brutal campaign.

Encouraged by his defeat, the countries of Europe once again formed a coalition against

him, and decisively defeated the French army in the Battle of Leipzig, eventually leading

the surrender of Napoleon.

The monarchy was restored with Louis XVIII being crowned king, and Napoleon was exiled

to the island of Elba. However, he managed to escape less than one year later, gained

support in Paris, overthrew the monarchy, and raised an army… but the coalition formed

against him and he was defeated at Waterloo by Britain and Prussia.

Napoleon abdicated for a second time, and was exiled to the even more remote island

of Saint Helena, where he died at the age of 51.

After decades of unrest, France once again had a monarchy, but the French Revolution

and Napoleon had such a profound impact on not only France, but Europe as a whole.

In 1815, the monarchies of Europe convened at Vienna, to restore the pre-revolution borders

as best they could. France was to remain a Great Power.

France soon had another revolution, as the people were once again sick of being ruled

by the absolute monarchy of Charles X. The king was overthrown in what became known as

the July Revolution, and he was replaced by the “citizen-king”, Louis Philippe, a

distant cousin of Charles X.

Almost simultaneously, France invaded Algeria, which became an incredibly important part

of their colonial empire, and within a few decades ruled over huge parts Africa.

Throughout the July Monarchy, there was a distinct atmosphere of revolt and protest

in the air, so to protect the monarchy, political meetings were banned. In 1848, coinciding

with many revolutions throughout Europe, the king was forced to abdicate, and France was

once again a Republic. Louis-Napoleon, the other Napoleon’s nephew, was elected President.

In 1851, unable to run for re-election, he organised a coup and declared himself President

for life in referendum of questionable integrity. France briefly became an Empire again when

Napoleon III took the imperial title in 1852.

Napoleon III was nothing like his uncle when it came to war and diplomacy. Poor decisions

and humiliating defeats, culminated in a war with Prussia in 1870, which ultimately led

to the unification of Germany, who became the dominant power on the continent. The Second

French Empire quickly collapsed and France became a Republic for the third time.

Ever since their unification, Germany had been a major rival of France. In order to

try and isolate them, France signed an alliance with Britain and Russia, the Triple Entente.

France joined the first world war in 1914 when Germany declared war on them for mobilising

their army to support Russia, who had mobilised their army in support of Serbia, who had been

declared war on by Austria.

Germany’s plan was to quickly defeat the French, and they actually did get close to

Paris, but the allied powers were able to hold them off, and the Western Front quickly

become a stalemate in trench warfare.

Despite winning the Eastern Front against Russia in 1917, the tens of thousands of American

reinforcements became too much for Germany, who were slowly pushed back, eventually resulting

in victory for the allies.

With the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, French Marshal Ferdinand Foch said

"This is not a peace. It is an armistice for 20 years”... if only he knew just how true

his words would be.

In 1939, France declared war on Nazi Germany after Hitler’s invasion of Poland, however

they initially took a defense position, and therefore were unable to prevent Poland from

being conquered. France itself was invaded 1940, as the Nazis bypassed the French defensive

fortifications known as the Maginot Line by simply… going around it via Belgium.

Unable to deal with the German Blitzkrieg tactics, Paris soon fell, and most of France

would be under Nazi occupation for the next four years.

General Charles de Gaulle declared himself head of a government in exile in London, and

when the Nazi power began to decline, the Resistance was formed, and Paris was liberated

in 1944, as the Allies were ultimately victorious.

In the 1950s, France began the process of decolonisation, starting with Libya. When

it came to Algeria though, things were a little more complicated… Algeria was considered

an integral part of the French Republic, and with France indecisive about what to do, a

war for independence began in 1954, lasting for more than seven years.

The crisis in Algeria caused the French Fourth Republic to collapse, and Charles de Gaulle,

who had previously resigned from politics, returned, and proclaimed a new constitution.

Algeria officially gained their independence in 1962.

With the establishment of a new constitution, the French Fifth Republic was founded, the

country that France is today. And so, that’s where I’m going to leave things, because

in the words of historian John Julius Norwich, “all history books must have a clearly defined

stopping place, if they don’t, they drag on til they become works on current affairs”.