History of France (main dates). History of France (1789-1914) What important events occurred in France in

Steel was populated by tribes of Celts (Gauls). It was the Gauls who formed the basis of the French people, and the country in ancient times was called Gaul.

In the 7-6 centuries BC, the Phoenicians and Greeks founded colonies here, from which the cities of Marseille, Nice, etc. originated. In 58-52 BC, Gaul was conquered by the Romans. The invasion of Germanic tribes in the 5th-7th centuries put an end to Roman rule in Gaul. The Franks managed to create the most stable power in Gaul; they conquered Gaul at the beginning of the 6th century, giving their name to the country and people. The territory of modern France became the core of the Frankish state.

By the time France was established as a state (9th-10th centuries), the country was divided into many feudal principalities that had stable borders and their own linguistic characteristics.

The largest feudal union in northern France was the Duchy of Normandy. In the extreme northeast, the county of Flanders was strong. In the west, the Duchy of Brittany had complete independence. The royal possessions occupied lands along the middle reaches of the Seine and Loire.

In the south of the country, the duchies of Toulouse, Gascony, Aquitaine, and the counties of March, Auvergne, and Bourbonnais were almost completely beyond the king's control.

Starting from the 30s of the 19th century, France pursued an active policy of expansion in France, and by the beginning of World War 1 it became second only to Great Britain. colonial empire.

1 World War led to great changes in the French economy. Alsace and Lorraine were returned, and the Saara was transferred to France for 15 years. By the end of the 20s of the 20th century, France had turned into an industrial-agrarian country.

During World War II, Paris and 2/3 of the country's territory were occupied. Important role The Free France movement, led from London by General Charles de Gaulle, played a role in the fight against fascism.

The war had rather dire consequences for France. The population decreased by 1.1 million people. The country's dependence on the United States has increased. National liberation wars in the colonies led to the collapse of the French colonial empire.

In 1946, a new constitution (the Fourth Republic) was adopted. In 1949, France joined the bloc.

In 1958, General de Gaulle was elected president of France, the parliamentary constitution of 1946 was abolished and a new one was approved, that is, the Fifth Republic appeared. France left military organization NATO (but remained political). Since 1958, France has been a member of the European Economic Community (now the EU).

Event: capture of the royal fortress Bastille by the people

King Louis the Sixteenth

Result: beginning of the French Revolution

Event:"Night of Miracles" Meeting of the first people's Constituent Assembly in the history of France.

What political forces were in power: King Louis the Sixteenth

Result: equality of all citizens before the law was declared. The privileges of the clergy and nobles were abolished. The church tithe, which all citizens had previously paid to the church, was abolished. Later, nobility was abolished in general and the first ever democratic “Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen” was adopted.

Event: people's march to Versailles. The king was forcibly taken from the Palace of Versailles and settled in Paris.

What political forces were in power: formally - the king, but in fact - revolutionaries

Result: The absolute monarchy was replaced by a constitutional one. Now it was not the people who did what the king wanted, but the king who carried out the will of the Constituent Assembly

Event: deposition of King Louis by the Paris Commune

What political forces were in power: Paris Commune of rebel revolutionaries. These are mainly guardsmen, soldiers and ordinary townspeople.

Result: Prussia, defending the king, started a war with France. The king is imprisoned.

Event: declaration of France as a Republic

What political forces were in power:National Convention France (Girondin Party).

Result: The monarchy in the country was abolished altogether

Event: execution of Louis the Sixteenth in Paris

What political forces were in power: National Convention (Girondists)

Result: France is at war with several European powers defending the monarchy: Prussia, England, Spain.

Event: Jacobin uprising

What political forces were in power: Girondists and Montagnards

Result: a split among the revolutionaries, the rise to power of the Jacobins and Montagnards. The beginning of the cruel revolutionary terror population. The Girondins were executed. All material goods were taken away from citizens in the interests of revolution and war.

Event: execution of Queen Marie Antoinette, wife of Louis the Sixteenth

What political forces were in power: Jacobin National Convention and Paris Commune

Result: another “enemy of the revolution” destroyed

Event: Thermidorian coup. A split among the leadership of the revolutionaries. The Commune took up arms on the side of Robespierre against the other Jacobins.

What political forces were in power: Paris Commune and National Convention.

Result: Robespierre was defeated and executed along with his supporters. The Paris Commune fell. The revolution weakened, and the Jacobins themselves began to be persecuted.

Event: Coup of the 18th Brumaire

What political forces were in power: Directory

Result: The end of the Great French Revolution. The victory of the military monarchy in the person of Napoleon Bonaparte, who proclaimed the power of the Provisional Government in the person of three consuls, one of whom was himself. Later he would take power into his own hands.

1789 – The French Revolution brought an end to the royal unlimited monarchy. The Bastille, a state prison and symbol of the unlimited power of kings, was taken by the people of Paris on July 14, 1789 and a little later destroyed. There are no longer subordinates here, but there are citizens. Civil equality was established and human rights were proclaimed.

1792 - After going through the crises and cruelties of the period that followed the revolution, which became known as the Age of Terror, the government - the National Convention - proclaims the first republic in France.

1804 – Having become emperor under the name Napoleon, Bonaparte proclaims an empire and wages wars against England and European countries. After some famous victories won by the Allied powers, Napoleon's empire collapses in 1814.

1830 – The Revolution of July 1830 ends with the accession of the French King Louis Philippe to the throne. In memory of these events, a bronze column stands on the Place de la Bastille in Paris.

1848 – The revolutionary movement in February 1848 led to the proclamation of the Second Republic, which ended the monarchy of Louis Philippe.

1852-1870 – The second republic was followed by the restoration of the empire. After the authoritarian period, the empire becomes more liberal. The years of the second empire of Napoleon III were a period of material prosperity, rapid development industry and trade. The defeat of France in the war of 1870 brought an end to the era of the second empire.

1870 – France declares war on Prussia. French attempts cannot prevent the capitulation of Paris. France loses its territories - Alsace and Lorraine.

1871 - The revolutionary government - the Commune of Paris - is overthrown by the standing army of Thiers, who brutally suppresses the uprising.

1870-1940 – The political regime that emerged after the surrender of France in the Franco-Prussian War (3rd Republic) carries out democratic reforms: freedom and the press, secular education, separation of church and state.

1914-1918 – In 1914, France is drawn into war declared by Germany. In it she wins, but with heavy losses.

1939-1944 – France declares war on Germany, but Germany in turn invades in May 1940. Part of France is occupied, the government adopts a policy of cooperation with the Germans. General de Gaulle creates the Resistance, which organizes and expands. In 1944, the Allies land in Normandy and break through towards Paris, which is liberated on August 25.

1944 – After the liberation of the country, the constitution adopted by referendum proclaims the 4th republic.

1958 – After a political and social crisis, the Constitution of the 5th Republic was adopted, which significantly strengthens the authority of President Charles de Gaulle. 1968 – In May, a deep university and social crisis occurs in France. General de Gaulle resigns. Other presidents of the 5th Republic: George Pompidou, Valéry Giscard d Estaing, Francois Mitterrand, Jacques Chirac, Nicolas Sarkozy.

From the Caroline Empire, the “Kingdom of France” stands out in the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages bring decentralization to the country. The power of the princes reached its apogee in the 11th century. In 987, Hugo Capet founded the Capetian dynasty. Capetian rule opens the gates to religious wars. The king's vassals seize territories beyond the French border. The most significant was the Norman conquest of England by William I the Conqueror. The Battle of Hastings was immortalized in the Bayeux Tapestry.

Philip II Augustus (1180-1223) does a lot for his country. Thanks to Philip II, the University of Paris was founded, and the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral continued. He begins construction of the Louvre. During Philip's time it was a castle-fortress.

At the end of the 12th century, the French economy slowly began to rise, industry developed, and power was centralized, which allowed the country to defeat England and complete the unification of its lands. In the 12th and 13th centuries, a number of architectural structures were built that became national monuments of France. One of them is Reims Cathedral - a striking example of Gothic architecture. In 1239, Saint Louis brought the Crown of Thorns from Venice. To store this relic, the Saint-Chapelle chapel is being built.

With the death of the last descendant of the Capetians, a conflict ensued between the houses of Valois and Plantagenet for succession to the throne.

The Valois family on the throne of the French Empire (1328-1589)

During this period, the country's military activities took center stage. The Hundred Years' War begins. After the death of Charles IV, King Edward III of England decides to seize the French throne by force. France is a loser: the battle of Poitiers deprives the country of the color of knighthood, King John the Good is captured.

France has reached a dead end: no army, no king, no money. The entire burden of the current situation falls on the shoulders of ordinary French people. The people have risen: Paris and the Jacquerie are rebelling. The outrage was suppressed. The British decide to take Orleans to open the route to the south of France.

The Maid of Orleans, Joan of Arc, leads the French army and defeats the English near Orleans in 1429. She convinced the Dauphin to undergo the coronation ceremony in the cathedral in the Rhine under the name of Charles VII. After 2 years in Rouen, Jeanne dies in agony at the stake. The French people dedicated There is more than one architectural structure for this courageous girl. For example, the statue of Joan is also located in the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, which is located on the hill of Montmartre.

Only in 1453 did the confrontation between the dynasties end with the victory of the Valois, which strengthened the French monarchy. The struggle between the two powers for territory and the throne lasted for a long and painful 116 years. France becomes a colonial empire, powerful and strong. In the second half of the 18th century, the country would lose its position on all counts.

From Louis to Louis

In the meantime, in XV - XVII centuries kings succeed each other, ruling the country according to their capabilities and abilities. Under Louis XI (1461-1483), the country expanded its territory, science and art flourished, medicine developed, and postal service began to function again. It is he who makes the famous and formidable dungeon out of the fortress - the Bastille.

He is replaced by Louis XII(1498-1515), then the reins of government of the country were held by Francis I (1515-1547). Under him, a beautiful palace in the Renaissance style was built in the vicinity of Fontainebleau. Soon the palace was surrounded by buildings, and a whole city was formed. The palace is decorated with three gardens: the Grand Parterre, English garden and Diana's garden.

The next ruler of the country was Henry II (1547-1559), who became famous for increasing taxes. His life was cut short at the Place des Vosges during a tournament in 1559.

Under his son, Francis II, the Huguenots protested against taxation. The reign of Charles IX (1560-1574) plunges the country into religious wars. In fact, power was in the hands of Catherine de Medici (it was she who became one of the mistresses of the “Ladies' Castle” - Chenonceau Castle on the Cher River), under whom Catholics and Protestants were already openly expressing their irreconcilability towards each other.

Ten wars have passed in three decades. The most terrible page in them was the Night of Bartholomew from August 23 to 24, 1572, the mass extermination of the Huguenots on St. Bartholomew's Day. One of the best historical television series is “Queen Margot,” which shows these events colorfully and authentically.

The history of France, which is located in the very center of Europe, began long before the appearance of permanent human settlements. Convenient physical and geographical position, proximity to seas, rich reserves natural resources contributed to France throughout its history being the “locomotive” of the European continent. And this is how the country remains today. Occupying leading positions in European Union, UN and NATO, the French Republic remains in the 21st century a state whose history is being created every day.

Location

Country of the Franks, if with Latin language translate the name of France, located in Western Europe. The neighbors of this romantic and beautiful country are Belgium, Germany, Andorra, Spain, Luxembourg, Monaco, Switzerland, Italy and Spain. The shores of France are washed by warm Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The territory of the republic is covered with mountains, plains, beaches, and forests. Hidden among the picturesque nature are numerous natural monuments, historical, architectural, cultural attractions, ruins of castles, caves, and fortresses.

Celtic period

In the 2nd millennium BC. e. Celtic tribes, whom the Romans called Gauls, came to the lands of the modern French Republic. These tribes became the core of the formation of the future French nation. The Romans called the territory inhabited by the Gauls or Celts Gaul, which was part of the Roman Empire as a separate province.

In the 7th–6th centuries. BC, the Phoenicians and Greeks from Asia Minor sailed to Gaul on ships, who founded on the coast Mediterranean Sea colonies. Now in their place there are cities such as Nice, Antibes, Marseille.

Between 58 and 52 BC, Gaul was captured by the Roman soldiers of Julius Caesar. The result of more than 500 years of rule was the complete Romanization of the population of Gaul.

Others occurred during Roman rule important events in the history of the peoples of future France:

• In the 3rd century AD, Christianity entered Gaul and began to spread.
• Invasion of the Franks, who conquered the Gauls. After the Franks came the Burgundians, Alemanni, Visigoths and Huns, who completely put an end to Roman rule.
• The Franks gave names to the peoples who lived in Gaul, created the first state here, and founded the first dynasty.

The territory of France, even before our era, became one of the centers of constant migration flows that passed from north to south, from west to east. All these tribes left their mark on the development of Gaul, and the Gauls adopted elements of various cultures. But the most big influence It was the Franks who helped not only drive out the Romans, but create their own kingdom in Western Europe.

The first rulers of the Frankish kingdom

Humanism was of particular importance for architecture, which is clearly visible in the castles built in the Loire River valley. The castles that were built in this part of the country to protect the kingdom began to turn into luxurious palaces. They were decorated with rich stucco, decor, and the interior was changed, which was distinguished by luxury.

Also, under Francis the First, book printing arose and began to develop, which had a huge influence on the formation French, including literary.

Francis the First was replaced on the throne by his son Henry the Second, who became the ruler of the kingdom in 1547. The policy of the new king was remembered by his contemporaries for his successful military campaigns, including against England. One of the battles that all history books about 16th century France write about took place near Calais. No less famous are the battles of the British and French at Verdun, Toul, Metz, which Henry recaptured from the Holy Roman Empire.

Henry was married to Catherine de Medici, who belonged to the famous Italian family of bankers. The Queen ruled the country with her three sons on the throne:

• Francis II,
• Charles the Ninth,
• Henry the Third.

Francis reigned for only a year and then died of illness. He was succeeded by Charles the Ninth, who was ten years old at the time of his coronation. He was completely controlled by his mother. Karl was remembered as a zealous champion of Catholicism. He constantly persecuted Protestants, who became known as Huguenots.

On the night of August 23-24, 1572, Charles the Ninth gave the order to purge all Huguenots in France. This event received its name because the murders took place on the eve of St. Valentine's Day. Bartholomew. Two years after the massacre, Charles died and Henry III became king. His opponent in the fight for the throne was Henry of Navarre, but he was not chosen because he was a Huguenot, which did not suit him most nobles and nobility.

France in the 17th–19th centuries.

These centuries were very turbulent for the kingdom. The main events include the following:

• In 1598, the Edict of Nantes, which Henry the Fourth issued, ended in France. Huguenots became full members of French society.
• France took an active part in the first international conflict - Thirty Years' War 1618–1648
• The kingdom experienced its golden age in the 17th century. during the reign of Louis the Thirteenth and, as well as the gray cardinals - Richelieu and Mazarin.
• The nobles constantly fought with royalty for expanding their rights.
• France 17th century constantly faced dynastic strife and internecine wars, which undermined the state from within.
• Louis the Fourteenth dragged the state into the War of the Spanish Succession, which caused the invasion foreign countries to French territory.
• Kings Louis XIV and his great-grandson Louis XV paid great attention to creating a strong army, which allowed them to conduct successful military campaigns against Spain, Prussia and Austria.
• At the end of the 18th century, a revolution began in France, which caused the liquidation of the monarchy and the establishment of a dictatorship.
• At the beginning of the 19th century, Napoleon declared France an empire.
• In the 1830s. An attempt was made to restore the monarchy, which lasted until 1848.

In 1848, a revolution called the “Spring of Nations” broke out in France, as in other countries of Western and Central Europe. The consequence of the revolutionary 19th century was the establishment of the Second Republic in France, which lasted until 1852.

Second half of the 19th century. was no less exciting than the first. The Republic was overthrown, replaced by the dictatorship of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, who ruled until 1870.

The Empire was replaced by the Paris Commune, which brought about the establishment of the Third Republic. It existed until 1940. At the end of the 19th century. The country's leadership has been actively foreign policy, creating new ones in different regions of the world:

• in North Africa,
• Madagascar,
• Equatorial Africa,
• West Africa.

During the 80–90s. 19th century France constantly competed with Germany. Contradictions between states deepened and aggravated, which caused the separation of countries from each other. France found allies in England and Russia, which contributed to the formation of the Entente.

Features of development in the 20th–21st centuries.

The First World War, which began in 1914, became a chance for France to regain lost Alsace and Lorraine. Germany, under the Treaty of Versailles, was forced to give this region back to the republic, as a result of which the borders and territory of France acquired modern contours.

During the interwar period, the country actively participated in the Paris Conference and fought for spheres of influence in Europe. Therefore, she actively took part in the actions of the Entente countries. In particular, together with Britain, she sent her ships to Ukraine in 1918 to fight against the Austrians and Germans who were helping the Ukrainian government people's republic drive the Bolsheviks out of their territory.

With the participation of France, they signed peace treaties with Bulgaria and Romania, which supported Germany in the First World War.

In the mid-1920s. diplomatic relations were established with Soviet Union, signed a non-aggression pact with the leadership of this country. Fearing the strengthening of the fascist regime in Europe and the activation of far-right organizations in the republic, France tried to create military-political alliances with European states. But this did not save France from the German attack in May 1940. Within a few weeks, Wehrmacht troops captured and occupied all of France, establishing the pro-fascist Vichy regime in the republic.

The country was liberated in 1944 by the underground movement of the allied armies of the USA and Britain.

The Second World War hit the political, social and economic life of France hard. The Marshall Plan and the country's participation in economic European integration processes, which in the early 1950s, helped to overcome the crisis. unfolded in Europe. In the mid-1950s. France renounced its colonial possessions in Africa, granting former colonies independence.

Political and economic life stabilized during the presidency, which led France in 1958. Under him, the Fifth Republic in France was proclaimed. De Gaulle made the country a leader on the European continent. Progressive laws were passed that changed social life republics. In particular, women received the right to vote, study, choose professions, and create their own organizations and movements.

In 1965, the country elected its head of state for the first time by universal suffrage. De Gaulle became president, and remained in power until 1969. After him, the presidents in France were:

• Georges Pompidou – 1969–1974;
• Valérie d'Estaing 1974–1981;
• François Mitterrand 1981–1995;
• Jacques Chirac – 1995–2007;
• Nicolas Sarkozy - 2007–2012;
• Francois Hollande - 2012–2017;
• Emmanuel Macron - from 2017 to the present.

After World War II, France developed active cooperation with Germany, becoming with it the locomotives of the EU and NATO. The government of the country since the mid-1950s. develops bilateral relations with the USA, Britain, Russia, countries of the Middle East, Asia. The French leadership provides support to former colonies in Africa.

Modern France is an actively developing European country, which is a member of many European, international and regional organizations, influences the formation of the global market. Internal problems are present in the country, but the well-thought-out successful policy of the government and the new leader of the Republic, Macron, is helping to develop new methods of combating terrorism, the economic crisis, and the problem of Syrian refugees. France is developing in accordance with global trends, changing social and legal legislation so that both the French and migrants feel comfortable living in France.