The History of France, 2nd Edition (The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations)

Few nations have such a long and rich history as France. This indispensible volume covers political, economic, and cultural milestones throughout its long and fascinating history. The History of France is up-to-date and concise yet comprehensive, offering a readers a current, narrative history of France. Engagingly written for students and general readers alike, it brings to life the compelling history of this fractious and fascinating country. Chronological chapters examine the history of France through the first year and a half of Emmanuel Macron's presidency. A timeline and appendix of Significant Individuals round out the work. * * Includes a timeline of significant events in the history of France, providing students with an at-a-glance overview of France's history * * Offers an appendix of Notable People in the History of France to give readers with brief biographies of those who have made important contributions to the country's history * * Presents photos and maps to provide additional context for and support the text * * Includes an annotated bibliography to give readers detailed information on resources for further study * Few nations have such a long and rich history as France. This indispensible volume covers political, economic, and cultural milestones throughout its long and fascinating history.From Gothic cathedrals to rap and hip-hop, France is at the intersection of the worlds of Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, and it continues to renew the democratic model of politics. Having weathered the storms of the first half of the 20th century, France has helped to curb the recent global march of right-wing nationalism, while economically France ranks among the U.S., China, Japan, Germany, and Great Britain as one of the most powerful economies in the world.The History of France is up-to-date and concise yet comprehensive, offering a readers a current, narrative history of France. Engagingly written for students and general readers alike, it brings to life the compelling history of this fractious and fascinating country. Chronological chapters examine the history of France through the first year and a half of Emmanuel Macron's presidency. A timeline and appendix of Significant Individuals round out the work. From Gothic cathedrals to rap and hip-hop, France is at the intersection of the worlds of Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, and it continues to renew the democratic model of politics. Having weathered the storms of the first half of the 20th century, France has helped to curb the recent global march of right-wing nationalism, while economically France ranks among the U.S., China, Japan, Germany, and Great Britain as one of the most powerful economies in the world. The History of France is up-to-date and concise yet comprehensive, offering a readers a current, narrative history of France. Engagingly written for students and general readers alike, it brings to life the compelling history of this fractious and fascinating country. Chronological chapters examine the history of France through the first year and a half of Emmanuel Macron's presidency. A timeline and appendix of Significant Individuals round out the work. Cover 1 Contents 6 Series Foreword 8 Preface to the Second Edition 12 Preface to the First Edition 14 Timeline of Historical Events 16 1 A Fractious and Fascinating Country 26 2 Prehistory 52 3 From Caesar to Charlemagne 58 4 Building the Nation 72 From Hugh Capet to 72 5 Absolute Monarchy 90 6 The French Revolution and Napoleon 106 7 An Unstable Era (1815–1870) 136 8 The Consolidation of the Third Republic in Peace and War (1870–1918) 160 9 Decline and Degradation: Interwar and Vichy 190 10 Renewal and Expansion 218 11 After de Gaulle 246 12 France at the End of the Twentieth Century (1988–2002): Crisis, Renewal, and Drift 266 13 Wither France in the Complex Twenty-First Century? 284 Notable People in the History of France 298 Bibliographic Essay 310 Index 314