A Final Perspective... From a Politician

These recent years have been very hard here in France. The Vichy Government was a mockery of our country and our people. Hitler has devastated what was once a powerful, respectable and noble country. However, as he has met his demise, the future looks bright. We are still known as one of the great world powers and have recieved a section of Germany and Berlin, as well. We hope to go foward and become a standout leader in this world. We have a vision of a European organization that regulates currency and trade all across Europe that also provides protection for one another. France will rise to the power and glory of old once more.

A Final Perspective... From a Common Man

Wow... we really do suck. From the early battles between England and ourselves constantly getting worked like it was our jobs. Oh but wait that wasn't our jobs... cultivating land was a huge national occupation, but we screwed that up to by driving our fields to the ground and creating a famine (around late 18th century ish...). Then our savior, NAPOLEON BONAPARTE comes along holding so much promise for France. He not only expands and basically dominates the known world but also passes Napolionic Codes that benefit the people, talk about "the man". Ohh but don't get your hopes up, nooo this is too good for the French so we blow by invading Russia. Good call Mr. Bonaparte....not! It seems that for every one step we take foward, we inturn take 4, 5, 6, or maybe even 7 steps back. This is horrible....
- A. Frenchmann

A Final Perspective...from a peasant

It's sad to say, but much of the world views us as b*******, as perhaps rightly so. France's illustrious name has been tarnished by the cowardice of our pathetic rulers. Anyone who speaks German we surrender to immediately, without fight. Frankly, our honor is in question. We may be macho frog eaters, but our national security is somewhat of a joke. Yet, from the Sun King to modern day, we have come a long way. France is no longer a country filled with peasant farmers, although we do still exist. Our relatively vibrant economy has provided a healthier, fuller lifestyle for many. The power of the monarchy that so strongly dictated the lives of the people no longer exists. Democracy exists. And although the same can be said of many other countries, this is what I am most pleased about. Except for of course, Tony Parker, who surpassed the glory of any other frenchman with his fantastic achievement in marriage. Farewell.

Why I'm Ashamed to be French...Again

I can not believe another World War is happening. What happened to the "war to end all wars?" We got invaded through Belgium...AGAIN. Through the exact same spot. MERDE! You think we would learn by now. And just when i was getting used to speaking French again..BAM i gotta relearn German because we are weak dirty scum. In addition to being easily seized the people of France also don't bathe and our women rarely groom themselves. I used to vacation in Normandy during the summer months but now when i try to bury my kids in the sand i just find ammunition shells and severed body parts. However i can not complain too much because the war is stimulating the economy but at the same time decimating our lands. There will be nothing left of France by the end of this!

WWI: From the View of a Frenchman

This war has with question taken a toll on France. At first it seemed that although Germany was a big factor in the war and we are neighboring countries, we would not be hurt. We were very, very wrong. Much of the country is in rubble because of the new militaristic innovations. We never had thought about planes or tanks shooting bombs that literally tore down buildings. And now our economy is in very bad shape as well. I'm not sure if we will ever be able to rebuild.

WWII: From the View of a Frenchman

Well this sucks. It seems that like it was only yesterday (WWI) that we were in same position. Germany was able to rebuild at such a rapid rate and with Hitler in power, we do not know what to do. There has been some talk over in Germany that they are preparing to invade the Rhineland and the Belgium and after that ... we are next. Our military is not in any sort of shape either, after the depression that hit us recently the government has not been able to rebuild an army. I just hope that the US does not wait too long before entering because I don't know how long Britain can hold the Nazi's off. Also, lately I've seen Nazis around and it sounds weird but spying on a lot of the Jews in town, I'm not sure what it's about or if anyone has noticed. Maybe I'm over analyzing.

Frenchmen's view on the "Age of Anxiety"

Poverty is everywhere throughout the world. It all started in America when their stock market crashed and now European countries have been sucked in too. Reforms have been few and far between and bread is hard to come by. Soon we all might have to resort to desperate measures as our ancestors did in the past. The only attempt at reform so far has been done so by Leon Blum’s Popular Front government, which is comprised ofcommunists and moderate left parties. However. the majority of the French people do not want these people in power as they are dangerous people. In this time, communists are not welcome anywhere in the western world. There are many problems still yet to be fixed in order for the France to climb out of this depression we are currently involved in.

A Frenchman's View on Dictatorships and WWII

As radical dictatorships have emerged in Soviet Russia, Germany, and Italy, France has shown her true colors. And of course by that I mean it's now obvious to the rest of the world how truly weak we are. Any person who speaks German can force a Frenchman to flee and hide. Although blitzkrieg has been extremely successful across Europe, France could have at least attempted to retain some of its pride and fight back. I must admit it scares me the way Hitler's armies now control almost all of Europe. He has complete authority over the general population. Indeed it also pains me to say our rival Britain has thus far held off the Nazi troops. If there is not immediate change in the trend of this war, France, and Europe, may forever be changed for the bad.

A Common Man's View on Revolution of 1830

To HELL with Charles X! The latest overthrowing of Government could not please me anymore. I knew nothing good would come of Napoleon's defeat. He was the people's man! I felt my soul on fire to hear the news of his defeat at Waterloo! Charles X was intolerable! Who in the name of San Michelle was he kidding with the Anti-Sacrilege Act! YOU are going to kill ME for voicing my opinion the already corrupt Catholic church! À L'ENFER AVEC LUI! A new day dawn's for our people and the dark of ages past will not be forgotten! The people of France will be heard

A Poor Man's View on the Revolution of 1830

As a peasant, I must say I've been royally pissed (pun intended) recently, although I'm pleased with this latest insurrection. When Louis XVIII signed the Constitutional Charter of 1814, the people were protected against a return to absolutism and high times for the aristocracy. However, Charles X, that pretentious,greedy bastard, tried to repudiate the charter. BOO THAT MAN. In any case, that was a lot of chaos and it brought about the expulsion of Charles X. Now all things better but not perfect since Louis Philippe, Charles X's successor, took the reigns.

The Severity of Modern Radical Ideas

There has been a big push by the people recently for the government to finally step back and let the people take control of the economy. This "laissez-faire" idea has caught the attention of many, including me. This great idea of Liberalism has even reached the government. There will be no more oppresion with the gain of representation in the government and also the gains in civil librities and equality before the law.
Furthermore, this has brought about a great boost of Nationalism. It seems that like never before as I walk down the street people are shouting the greatness of France which 10 years ago would be very unusual, but seems to be the norm today. I am so glad that this country of mine is finally coming together as one body.

-A. Frenchmann

Frenchmen View on Revolution of 1848

Today is a glourious day for the common frenchman. Finally, we have forced Louis Phillipe from his throne following in the footsteps of his chief minister, Francoise Guizot. Phillipe had begun using the tyrannical methods of censorship and the banning of political meetings. The prospects of a true democracy have arisen and I can almost taste universal male suffrage. Elections are scheduled to take place in a couple of months however much of the country has differing views from the views of those inside the capital.

The elections have resulted in a very moderate republic. These results are outrageous. We, the people of France, need a stronger more effective government at our helm. This government has a false sense of security as it believes its strong after putting down the pathetic attempt of the workers' revolt. This government shall not and will not last.

The last several months have been filled with blood and death as over 10,000 have died on the streets of Paris. The government has lost all control and will not last much longer. There is rumor that another election will be held in the upcoming months.

The results are in! Louis Napoleon was elected as President! Finally we have the strong leadership we need to thrive and bring the power and prestige back to France.

A Franchman on Hardenberg In The Congress of Vienna

I was privileged enough to attend the Congress at Vienna shortly after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo. I took special note to Prince Karl von August Hardenberg and his Austrian supporters. They are a burly group, much more masculine and domineering than we sissy Frenchmen. These physical characteristics can be equated to their diplomatic mentality and desire for territorial expansion. Being more specific, their need for the the entire region of Saxony. They petitioned to send every bit of it in their direction but unfortunately only got two fifths of it. I think the Austrians are brutes but I only criticize their awesome masculinity to compensate for my extreme femininity.

Jusqu'à la fois prochaine

France and Russia in the Congress of Vienna

France and Russia did not dispute much over land in the Congress of Vienna. However both countries were battling Prussia in the congress to gain lands each coveted. France wanted to keep their boundaries first of all, but also wanted to gain some lands in the Rhine. Prussia also wanted lands in the Rhine and in Saxony. Russia on the other hand was very interested in Poland. Russia wanted to annex all of the former Duchy of Warsaw and once again Prussia wanted this land as well. In its centralized position in Europe, Prussia had much to gain and wanted a lot of land to add to its Germanic empire.

The French Revolution's Effect on Bourgeoisie

The French Revolution had a very profound effect on the Bourgeoisie or common people of France. Inspired by the American Revolution against the British, the impoverished class of the French social system revolted against the now weak monarchy of Louis the XVI. They were tired of his decadent and wasteful ways allowing the rich to get richer and poor to become poorer with each passing day. The revolution was a step towards eqaulity among men. This does not mean economic equality but equal opportunity to be just as prosperous as your neighbor.

The Spark of the French Revolution

Towards the turn of the 19th century, the age of enlightenment had reached it’s peak and was more influential as ever before. The ideas of the Enlightenment were spreading and affecting the people of Europe, especially France, at an exponential rate. As these thoughts of civil liberties, the resentment of noble and clerical privileges, and the resentment of royal absolutism became known by a great majority of the French, oppressed population it seem as if change was the only option and it had to occur on a large scale. John Locke, preached on the idea of civil librities that should be a right and not only a privledge of upper classes. Also, with constant struggle economically and agriculturally the people of France felt that Louis XVI was incapable of ruling their country successfully, which reinforced the idea of creating a constitutional monarchy. The thoughts and concepts, established by the enlightened thinkers of the time, provided the spark for the inevitable French Revolution.

The Enlightenment's Effect on the French Revolution

Directly before the start of the French Revolution, the Age of Enlightenment was flourishing throughout Europe. New, revolutionary ideas burgeoned from places all over Europe. Ideas like civil rights and women rights, which would be fought over for centuries after came from this time. Along with these ideas came the ideas of liberty and equality. Many European countries still had feudal societies, France was among them. As France went to fight the American Revolutionary War, the estates, or classes, of France intermingled. The nobility talked to the peasants and both nobillity and the peasants talked to the colonists. Due to all the coloquy between the people in the war, enlightenment ideas were spread immensely. Now the peasants, who had not known of these ideas before, discovered the ammunition they would use to fight with. Now the peasants, and all of the tax crippled third esate, called for change with liberty and equality. They took action and started the notorious French Revolution.

French Revolution's Impact on the Third Estate

Indeed the French Revolution's impact on the Third Estate was nothing less than tremendous. The revolution of course started due to the Third Estate's displeasure with their social status and the way France was being run by the incompetent monarchy. By successfully rising up and gaining power over the upper classes, the Third Estate proved revolution was possible. The Third Estate was given rights not previously afforded to them. However, Robespierre's action were brutal and harsh and after his Reign of Terror he was executed himself. Nonetheless, to an extent, the rights of peasants and Third Estate would be forever changed.

Thomas Hobbes was a fantastic political philosopher who coincidentally was not in the greatest of favors with the French in the early 1650's after his publication of the Leviathan. This very famous piece of literature angered French Catholics and Anglicans greatly. The idea of modern western philosophy was obscure and abstract. Especially to despotic ruler Louis the XVI who would not stand for any kind of democratic teachings in his absolutist world. It would have served the French well to practice what Thomas Hobbes preached lest they enjoyed having their country being sent into spiraling debt and poverty

Population Explosion and France

During this time period all of Europe had a great population explosion. This greatly affected France as 90% of its population resided in its third estate. The third estate was the lowest class and were basically peasants. When rough winters hit France during these years, the price of bread, France's main foodstuff during this time, rose dramatically. This made bread unaffordable to the peoples of the third estate. As unrest grew, more and more people became upset with King Louis XVI. Because bread was unavailable to so many people, while so few at so lavishly, change was needed. With the great congregation of people who were in this estate, they had much power. As they started to revolt, the wheels of the French Revolution began to turn.