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History of France |
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France is an independent nation in Western Europe and the center of a large overseas administration. It ranks as the third largest European nation after Russia and Ukraine. History of France is one of the most interesting historical anecdotes in the history of the world.
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Pre-historical Overview:
History of France dates back to the Neolithic and Bronze age when Indo- European and Proto-Celtic peoples dispersed across Western Europe. In the final stages of the Iron Age the La Tene culture subsequently transmuted into the explicitly Celtic culture of early historical times.
So the Celts can be described as the earliest French settlers in 1000 BC. Later the Romans captured the area in 58 BC. In 486 AD, a Germanic tribe called the Franks invaded the area. France got its name from these Franks.
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France between 15th -18th century:
History of France saw the development from a feudal country to a progressively centralized state. (along with the presence of regional differences) This state regrouped around a powerful absolute monarchy that was based on the doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings and the denotative support of the established Church. France engaged in the long Italian Wars (1494-1559), which signaled the beginning of early modern France. After the capture of Francis I at Pavia, the French monarchy then attempted for allies and got one in the Ottoman Empire.
French Revolution:
After a series of conflict over the throne of France after the sixteenth century France was gradually turning into a feudal state where the kings and the feudal lords became the 'all -powerful' and started exploiting the common people. At this point of time The French Revolution (1789–1799) occurred and nothing in the country remained the same again. It was a period of political and social convulsion in the political history of France and Europe as a whole, during which the French governmental structure, which was previously an absolute monarchy with feudal privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, received a death blow from Enlightenment principles of democracy, citizenship, and inalienable rights.
After remaining under the indomitable Napoleonic rule till 1814 France witnessed the restored monarchy and the second Empire.
Modern history of France:
In the beginning of 20th century, the country underwent through numerous problems, including the desolation of two world wars, political and social turbulence, and the loss of a huge empire in Indochina, Algeria, and West and Equatorial Africa. However, France has survived all these crises and has risen from the wrecking of World War II to become an important force in the World and an important partner in the European Community.
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