France
Republic of France République de France | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
 | |
| Capital | Paris |
| Largest city | Marseille |
| Official languages | French |
| Recognised regional languages | Arpitan Occitan |
| Religion | Catholic Church Reformed Church of France |
| Demonym | French (français) |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary republic |
| Legislature | Congress of France |
• Upper house | Senate |
• Lower house | National Assembly |
France, officially the Republic of France (French: République de France), is a country primarily located in mainland Europe with overseas territories in Oceania. France borders the Netherlands, Spain, Rhineland, Switzerland, Arpitania, Piedmont, and Genoa.
History
France was defeated in 1669 during the War of Devolution by the Triple Alliance - a coalition of England, the Netherlands, and Sweden. In 1672, the French began the Franco-Dutch War only to lose and concede claims to territory Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1676. In 1700 with the Spanish Succession Crisis, the territories of Milan, Naples, and Sardinia were ceded to France.
Decades later with the death of Louis the Great, King Philip VII ascended to the throne as a result of the French Succession Crisis in 1715. In 1748, the Bourbon monarchy allied with the Prussians. During the Silesian War, France lost several territories in the American theatre, their ports in India, and their Italian subjects. Soon after, Philip VIII ascended to the throne in 1763. During the 1780s, France significantly weakened, eventually culminating in the French Revolution and the Augustine Wars. The House of Bourbon fled to New France in 1795, re-establishing their rule in north America.
In 1815, the House of Bourbon-Grimaldi, a Cadet branch of the House of Bourbon decendent from Phillip I, Duke of Orleans, came to rule the country, commonly known as the Valentinois monarchs. In the early 1870s, the Communard Revolution resulted in the abolition of the monarchy and the annexation of the Duchy of Belgique and the Spanish exclave of Franche-Comte. In 1877, a British-backed coup removed the radical communards in power and installed the moderate PCF. By 1900, France held considerable colonial territories in southeast Asia, Africa, and most notably Oceania.
In 1910, François Desmarais was appointed Grand Marshal of France. He eventually orchestrated the 1919 and abolished the French presidency, leading to a period of military rule. With his death in 1928, the notorious Camille Laframboise rose to power as Grand Marshal. He led the nation to defeat in the Great War and its occupation by enemy forces. In 1945, the Cavendish Affair rocked France and contributed to a climate of political distraught which culminated in the Charenton Coup of 1950.
Government and Politics
Demographics
Culture
List of leaders
See also
