From the streets to the decadent monuments of France, the country's rich history is apparent in every aspect of life.
In the times before Christ, Gauls and Romans conflicted for several centuries about control of the land now known as France. In 52 BC, Julius Caesar took control of the territory which remained under Roman rule until the 5th century when Franks and other Germanic groups overran the country. The following Middle Ages were characterized by power struggles between bitterly warring Frankish dynasties.
Thus, followed the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) where France battled against England. In 1429, 17-year-old Joan of Arc joined the French troops in a rally to overturn the English at Orleans. Joan was soon captured and turned over to the English, by whom she was convicted of heresy, she was burned at the stake.
France's stability was continually threatened by religious and political persecution during the 16th century, the Wars of Religion. After some 3,000 Protestant Huguenots were slaughtered at the St. Bartholemew's Day Massacre in Paris, the Huguenots were granted religious, civil, and political rights as France fought its way out of the war.
As France continued on, it became a monarchy, and was under the rule of one man, Louis XIV, for 72 years. France's involvements in the Seven Years' War and the American War of Independence were both financial destroyers of the French monarchy. By the 1780's, all classes of France's population had become revolted by Louis XVI and his queen, Marie-Antoinette. This disgust led to a revolution.
The First Republic was established in 1792, and was referred to as the Reign of Terror. Napoleon Bonaparte emerged at this time to save the masses from themselves. He assumed domestic power in 1799. From this point forward, France became involved in a series of wars to dominate most of Europe. A disastrous campaign against Russia led to Napoleon's downfall and banishment.
The 19th century established the country in a republic tradition, but in the 20th century, World War II would prove disastrous for the country. Over a million troops were killed, much of the land and area were destroyed, and the value of the franc was seriously diminished. In mid-1944, France was liberated by Allied forces. In 1958 General Charles de Gaulle returned to the presidential seat of France to establish the Fifth Republic.
Today, the country's high commanding officer is Jaques-Chirac, who was elected as president in 1995, and a Left/Right division of the country characterizes modern French politics. The country is facing an economic slow-down, which is characterized by a high unemployment rate, which is in part the result of outrageously expensive social benefits. However, to the tourist, the country is as beautiful as ever, and the government is working diligently on reforming the social disparity of this otherwise amazing country.
In the times before Christ, Gauls and Romans conflicted for several centuries about control of the land now known as France. In 52 BC, Julius Caesar took control of the territory which remained under Roman rule until the 5th century when Franks and other Germanic groups overran the country. The following Middle Ages were characterized by power struggles between bitterly warring Frankish dynasties.
Thus, followed the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) where France battled against England. In 1429, 17-year-old Joan of Arc joined the French troops in a rally to overturn the English at Orleans. Joan was soon captured and turned over to the English, by whom she was convicted of heresy, she was burned at the stake.
France's stability was continually threatened by religious and political persecution during the 16th century, the Wars of Religion. After some 3,000 Protestant Huguenots were slaughtered at the St. Bartholemew's Day Massacre in Paris, the Huguenots were granted religious, civil, and political rights as France fought its way out of the war.
As France continued on, it became a monarchy, and was under the rule of one man, Louis XIV, for 72 years. France's involvements in the Seven Years' War and the American War of Independence were both financial destroyers of the French monarchy. By the 1780's, all classes of France's population had become revolted by Louis XVI and his queen, Marie-Antoinette. This disgust led to a revolution.
The First Republic was established in 1792, and was referred to as the Reign of Terror. Napoleon Bonaparte emerged at this time to save the masses from themselves. He assumed domestic power in 1799. From this point forward, France became involved in a series of wars to dominate most of Europe. A disastrous campaign against Russia led to Napoleon's downfall and banishment.
The 19th century established the country in a republic tradition, but in the 20th century, World War II would prove disastrous for the country. Over a million troops were killed, much of the land and area were destroyed, and the value of the franc was seriously diminished. In mid-1944, France was liberated by Allied forces. In 1958 General Charles de Gaulle returned to the presidential seat of France to establish the Fifth Republic.
Today, the country's high commanding officer is Jaques-Chirac, who was elected as president in 1995, and a Left/Right division of the country characterizes modern French politics. The country is facing an economic slow-down, which is characterized by a high unemployment rate, which is in part the result of outrageously expensive social benefits. However, to the tourist, the country is as beautiful as ever, and the government is working diligently on reforming the social disparity of this otherwise amazing country.
