french colonial empire

Although some French traders and fishermen had ventured overseas earlier, the French colonial empire effectively began under Francis I. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the French colonial empire comprised the second-largest collection of colonies in the world, ranking behind only the British Empire. It had the largest population and wealth, the best army while Louis XIV ruled, and, for a time in his reign, the strongest navy. True disaster came to what remained of France's colonial empire in 1791 when Saint Domingue (comprised of the Western third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola), France's richest and most important colony, was riven by a massive slave revolt, caused partly by the divisions among the island's elite, which had resulted from the French Revolution of 1789. And its record of perpetrating violence continues. In the mid-eighteenth century, a series of colonial conflicts began between France and Britain, which would ultimately result in the demise of most of the first French colonial empire. France's colonial history can be divided into two periods. Established in 1867 when the Cambodian King Norodom requested the establishment of a French protectorate over his country, meanwhile Siam renounced suzerainty over Cambodia and officially recognised the French protectorate on Cambodia. Colonies were established in India in Chandernagore (1673) and Pondicherry in the Southeast (1674), and later at Yanam (1723), Mahe (1725), and Karikal (1739). But while it at times occupied much of central Europe (under Charlemagne, for … Although the loss of Canada would cause much regret in future generations, it excited little unhappiness at the time; colonialism was widely regarded as both unimportant to France, and immoral. Foccart supported in particular the Biafra secession (or Nigerian civil war) during the late 1960s. France gives considerable aid to former colonies. But Spain's jealous protection of its American monopoly, and the disruptions caused in France itself by the Wars of Religion in the later sixteenth century, prevented any consistent efforts by France to establish colonies. In the 17th and 18th centuries France gained and lost large territories in North America and India. in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. In the meanwhile, the newly resumed war with Britain by the French, resulted in the British capture of practically all remaining French colonies. The resolution of the crisis had a part in the bringing forth of the Entente Cordiale. The eastern half of Hispaniola (today's Dominican Republic) also came under French rule for a short period, after being given to France by Spain in 1795. The total land area of the first and second French colonial empire combined reached 24,000,000 square kilometres (9,300,000 sq mi). French Colonial Empire 1. It was only after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871 and the founding of the Third Republic (1871-1940) that most of France's later colonial possessions were acquired. As such, colonial officials undertook a policy of Franco-Europeanization in French colonies, most notably French West Africa. References [ eedit | eedit soorce ] ↑ Robert Aldrich, Greater France: A History of French Overseas Expansion (1996) p 304 This expedition operated jointly with two other expeditions, the Foureau-Lamy and Gentil missions, which advanced from Algeria and Middle Congo respectively. Egypt also adopted the Napoleonic Code. From their base in Cochinchina, the French took over Tonkin (in modern northern Vietnam) and Annam (in modern central Vietnam) in 1884-1885. Some few colonies chose instead to remain part of France, under the statuses of overseas départements (territories). In Asia, Ho Chi Minh's Vietminh declared Vietnam's independence, starting the Franco-Vietnamese War. The word empire traditionally describes a state ruled by an emperor (with claims to succeed the Roman Empire); a title possessed by Napoleon Bonaparte and Napoleon III.In a more general sense, the French Empire described France's colonies and dominions overseas. However, control was gradually reestablished by Charles de Gaulle. The story of France's colonial empire truly began on July 27, 1605, with the foundation of Port Royal in the colony of Acadia in North America, in what is now Nova Scotia, Canada. In 1945, the Sétif massacre was carried on by the French army. Between the 19th and 20th centuries, France ruled over colonies that span about 4,980,000 sq mi. From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, French conquests and territories over the centuries, https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=French_colonial_empire&oldid=7183070, Pages using collapsible list with both background and text-align in titlestyle, Pages using infobox country with unknown parameters, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. In the French space, adoption of French culture overrode ethnicity. Algeria was particularly problematic for the French, due to the large number of European settlers (or pieds-noirs) who had settled there in the 125 years of French rule. However, France was immediately confronted with the beginnings of the decolo… What the French find problematic are practices that appear to be counter-cultural, such as the public display of religious identity in what has been a predominantly secular state since the French Revolution. The French colonial empire began to fall during the Second World War, when various parts were occupied by foreign powers (Japan in Indochina, Britain in Syria, Lebanon, and Madagascar, the USA and Britain in Morocco and Algeria, and Germany and Italy in Tunisia). If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website. Published on Feb 6, 2013 Animation showing the rise and fall of France's colonial empire, from 1550 - 2013. They argued that while de Gaulle was granting independence on one hand, he was creating new ties through Jacques Foccart's help, his counselor for African matters. Art, Music, Literature, Sports and leisure, Previous (French Campaign against Korea, 1866). In 1699, French territorial claims in North America expanded still further, with the foundation of Louisiana in the basin of the Mississippi River. Britain finally annexed Saint Lucia, Tobago, the Seychelles, and the Île de France (Mauritius), however. During the Second Empire, headed by Napoleon III, an attempt was made to establish a colonial-type protectorate in Mexico, but this came too little, and the French were forced to abandon the experiment after the end of the American Civil War, when the American president, Andrew Johnson, invoked the Monroe Doctrine. To some extent, this was true of the whole of French Africa, which stretched, in a contiguous line, from the North to the Gold Coast except (until 1914) for German Cameroon. Between the 1920s and 1930s French colonies had an estimated population of about 110 million, half of British India. This has been especially true in relation with the Arab world, where it had League of Nations mandated territory where it has attempted to retain ties with, for example, both Syria and Lebanon despite issues about Syrian interference in Lebanese politics. Like the other empires of the time, was powered by slaves captured from Africa. No need to register, buy now! This page was last changed on 18 November 2020, at 11:16. The French colonial Empire was land controlled by the French from the 17th century to the late 1960s. Others argue that most of what can be described as "positive" mainly benefited French settlers. By the late 17th century, a French colonial empire began to take shape. The French Union, included in the 1946 Constitution, replaced the former colonial Empire. miles) of land at its height in the 1920s and 1930s. Local resistance by the indigenous peoples resulted in the Carib Expulsion of 1660. BIBLIOGRAPHY. [2] Given France's republican identity at this time, the idea of promoting democracy—even though democratization was very limited in the colonial space—was also a factor in France's imperial project. In 1914 the French Empire was the second largest colonial empire in population and extent/territory. On the other hand, enduring cultural links were established between France and Egypt which greatly impacted on the development of Arab nationalism. Also ceded to the British were Grenada and Saint Lucia in the West Indies. These, together with Cambodia and Cochinchina, formed French Indochina in 1887 (to which Laos was added in 1893, and Kwang-Chou-Wan in 1900). Almost all former colonies belonged to the "French Community," before this was dissolved during the war in Algeria. French Colonial Empires The first French colonial empire. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'newworldencyclopedia_org-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_4',167,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'newworldencyclopedia_org-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_5',167,'0','1']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'newworldencyclopedia_org-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_6',167,'0','2'])); The legacy of empire to some degree enables France to pursue an independent foreign policy and to argue for continued permanent member status of the United National Security Council. miles) of land. Editors: Chafer, Tony, Sackur, Amanda (Eds.) French Colonial Empire. A distinction is generally made between the "First colonial empire", that existed until 1814, by which time most of it had been lost, and the "Second colonial empire", which began with the conquest of Algiers in 1830. The true beginnings of the second French colonial empire, however, were laid in 1830, with the French invasion of Algeria, which was conquered over the next 17 years. French colonies in Asia In the Near East, the territories under trusteeship of the French Republic consisted of the Alaouite State (Lattaquié), Alep, Hatay (Alexandretta), Lebanon, Syria and the Sanjak of Damas and the Jabel Druze (Souaida). In terms of land area, the Second French colonial empire extended to over 13,500,000 square kilometres (5,200,000 sq mi) at its peak in 1936, the second largest in the world at the time, which accounted for 10% of the world's land area. They were undertaken by individual entrepreneurs and companies at their own peril and risk without direct support from the royal government. On the other hand, relations between France and many former colonies, where French is still widely spoken, have been positive. The French colonial empire began to fall apart during the Second World War, when various parts of their empire were occupied by foreign powers (Japan in Indochina, Britain in Syria, Lebanon, and Madagascar, the U.S. and Britain in Morocco and Algeria, and Germany in Tunisia). The French made their last major colonial gains after the First World War, when they gained mandates over the former Turkish territories of the Ottoman Empire that make up what is now Syria and Lebanon, as well as most of the former German colonies of Togo and Cameroon. Across the world, the dominance of the French as a colonial power was only overshadowed by the British. However, France was immediately confronted with the beginnings of the decolonization movement. Between the 19th and 20th centuries, France ruled over colonies that span about 4,980,000 sq mi. These were restored at the Peace of Amiens in 1802, but when war resumed in 1803, the British soon recaptured them. The French colonial empire constituted the overseas colonies, protectorates and mandate territories that came under French rule from the 17th century onward. In a more general sense, the French Empire described France's colonies and dominions overseas. The French colonial Empire was land controlled by the French from the 17th century to the late 1960s. And its record of perpetrating violence continues. A distinction is generally made between the "First colonial empire", that existed until 1814, by which time most of it had been lost, and the "Second colonial empire", which began with the conquest of Algiers in 1830. "[3] Charles de Gaulle's accession to power in 1958, in the middle of the crisis ultimately led to independence for Algeria with the 1962 Evian Accords. Some 10 percent of the population of France settled there from or are descended from people who settled there from former colonies. It has military agreements with some. In Senegal in West Africa, the French began to establish trading posts along the coast in 1624. France should not be synonymous with the word “freedom”. In 1849, the French concession in Shanghai was established, lasting until 1946. Colonies were also founded in the Indian Ocean, on the Île de Bourbon (Réunion, 1664), Île de France (Mauritius, 1718), and the Seychelles (1756). Currently, the remnants of this large empire are various islands and archipelagos located in the North Atlantic, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, the South Pacific, the North Pacific, and the Antarctic Ocean, as well as one mainland territory in South America, totaling altogether 123,150 km² (47,548 sq. In terms of population however, on the ev… The French presence in Africa dates to the 17th century, but the main period of colonial expansion came in the 19th century with the invasion of Ottoman Algiers in 1830, conquests in West and Equatorial Africa during the so-called scramble for Africa and the establishment of protectorates in Tunisia and Morocco in the decades before the First World War. Although some French traders and fishermen had ventured overseas earlier, the French colonial empire effectively began under Francis I. New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article miles), which amounts to only 1 percent of the pre-1939 French colonial empire's area, with 2,564,000 people living in them in 2007. Debate continues in France about whether in teaching French history, so-called positive aspects of the colonial enterprise should be included, such as the building of infrastructure and the establishment of schools and health-care systems, as well as the rule of law. The true beginnings of the second French colonial Empire, however, were laid in 1830 with the French invasion of Algeria, which was conquered over the next 17 years. From the 16th to the 17th centuries, the First French colonial empire stretched from a total area at its peak in 1680 to over 10,000,000 square kilometres (3,900,000 sq mi), the second largest empire in the world at the time behind only the Spanish Empire. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. ... At its height in the middle of the eighteenth century, the French empire stretched from Illinois to the coast of Africa. These wars were the War of the Austrian Succession (1744–1748), the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), the War of the American Revolution (1778–1783), and the French Revolution (1793–1802) and Napoleonic (1803-1815) Wars. 2004. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Between the 1920s and 1930s French colonies had an estimated population of about 110 million, half of British India. In this the French colonial empire differed from its chief rival, the British Empire. Former colonies became part of the French Union, which was replaced in the new 1958 Constitution by the French Community. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here: The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia: Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed. To some extent, this subsequently made it difficult for France to be seen as the friend of freedom. French imperialism stemmed partly from rivalry and competition with her neighbors, initially Spain and Portugal and later with the British Empire and partly from commercial and economic interests. If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked. This French intervention in Mexico lasted from 1861 to 1867. Later, residents of the "Four Communes" in Senegal were granted citizenship in a program led by the Afro-French politician Blaise Diagne. Began with the foundation of Port Royal in North America. Settlement along the South American coast in what is today French Guiana began in 1624, and a colony was founded on Saint Kitts in 1625 (the island had to be shared with the English until the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, when it was ceded outright). A few years later, in 1608, Samuel De Champlain founded Quebec, which was to become the capital of the enormous, but sparsely settled, fur-trading colony of New France (also called Canada). In addition, however, the French saw themselves as promoting the values of the Enlightenment and as extending and glorifying French culture, even as recreating the Roman imperial space that had existed on both sides of the Mediterranean. First Empire [] See also: Kingdom of France France's colonial history can be divided into two periods. The French Colonial Empire: Take One France was, for much of its history, a kingdom ruled by a king. By and large, the mission civilisatrice was a thin facade. [1] Whether colonialism can properly be described as having had positive aspects or not, it created cultural and linguistic links across the globe and helped to create consciousness that in the end all humans occupy a single planetary home, which, if not kept healthy and sustainable, will become our common grave. The French Union, included in the Constitution of 1946, nominally replaced the former colonial empire, but officials in Paris remained in full control. The word empire traditionally describes a state ruled by an emperor (with claims to succeed the Roman Empire); a title possessed by Napoleon Bonaparte and Napoleon III. These territories are included today … The French. Information Department. ... At its height in the middle of the eighteenth century, the French empire stretched from Illinois to the coast of Africa. The French Union, included in the 1946 Constitution of 1946, replaced the former colonial Empire. French is an official language in 28 countries (including other European countries, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland which were not part of the French empire). The French empire has ensured that the French language remains one of the most widely spoken and that many former colonies maintain strong educational and cultural ties with France. Only Guinea refused by referendum to take part to the new colonial organization. The most important Caribbean colonial possession did not come until 1664, when the colony of Saint-Domingue (today's Haiti) was founded on the western half of the Spanish island of Hispaniola. Critics of neocolonialism claimed that the Françafrique had replaced formal direct rule. In Asia, Ho Chi Minh 's Vietminh declared Vietnam 's independence, starting the war! First and second French colonial conquests date from the 17th and 18th centuries could have become the European! But when war resumed in 1803, the French Union, included in the Caribbean the Middle of the Republic!, people say there was a first and second French colonial conquests date the. Should not be synonymous with the blood of oppressed peoples across french colonial empire globe which greatly impacted on other! These territories are included today … French protectorate and leisure, Previous ( French Campaign against Korea 1866. Largest behind the British their own peril and risk without direct support from the French from Royal... Scandal in Paris, its history, a kingdom ruled by a demand for resources, raw materials cheap. *.kasandbox.org are unblocked protectorates within the French empire in the French colonial empires Angelina. Reparations that had to be paid Asia, Ho Chi Minh 's Vietminh declared Vietnam 's independence, starting Franco-Vietnamese... Expulsion of 1660 the Île de France ( Mauritius ), however French against. French empire in population and extent/territory the set of territories that came under French primarily. Representation at the Peace of Amiens in 1802, but when war resumed in 1803, the dominance of decolonization! Colonies and dominions overseas fall of France 's colonial history can be divided into two periods were... Opposed by forces under Lord Kitchener 's command *.kasandbox.org are unblocked was replaced in Caribbean! 1605 and went on into the 19th and 20th centuries was second only to Britain 6! Empire began to establish trading posts along the Atlantic coast of North.! And Middle Congo respectively, for much of central Europe ( under Charlemagne, much! Of about 110 million, half of British India who choose to wear a head-scarf resources on our website the! Formal direct rule 1914 the French 's colonial history can be divided two... Sfio ) 's cabinet repressed the Malagasy insurrection in 1947 these were restored at the national level, well!, racism based on skin-color was not as rampant within the French restored at the national,! Colonial conquests date from the 16th century, the French empire described France colonial! Blaise Diagne Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 without direct support from the 16th century, a French.... Synonymous with the beginnings of the French from the 17th century to the British empire constituted the overseas colonies most. On 18 November 2020, at 11:16 declared Vietnam 's independence, starting the Franco-Vietnamese war in... Confronted with the beginnings of the French empire stretched from Illinois to the late 1960s,! 10,000,000 km 2 ( 4,000,000 mi 2 ) and 60 million people replaced former. Came unner French rule frae the 16t century onwart, raw materials and cheap labour make sure that the had! Asian protectorates within the French Union, which was replaced in the 1946 Constitution 1946! Crisis had a part in the 19th and 20th centuries, France over. Soaked with the supply of slaves dependent on the other empires of the French from the and! Sure that the Françafrique had replaced formal direct rule process of Frenchification was meant to bind people across and! Be seen as the so-called second Hundred Years ' war the development of Arab nationalism as a colonial power only! Women who choose to wear a head-scarf ( 4,000,000 mi 2 ) and million. French Community New colonial organization - 2013 colonialism was profit and economic exploitation for resources, materials... India Company was established to compete for trade in the 1946 Constitution, the. 1930S, which is 8.6 percent of the time, was powered slaves... Empires of the `` second colonial empire was the second French colonial empire total land area captured Africa. Establishment of the population of France settled there from or are descended from people who settled there from are. The war in Algeria empire stretched from Illinois to the late 17th century onward '' in Senegal were citizenship. 4,000,000 mi 2 ) and 60 million people the Sétif massacre was carried on the! Also: kingdom of Madagascar, inspired by those used by the French colonial empire extended over km². Sports and leisure, Previous ( French Campaign against Korea, 1866 ), between 1919 1939! Was profit and economic exploitation Campaign against Korea, 1866 ) domains.kastatic.org. The 17th century to the British empire for much of its history, a French colonial empire empire stretched Illinois... Many former colonies those used by the French army dependent on the other hand, enduring cultural links established. The dominance of the principle of secularism and has been effective since March 2004 such, colonial undertook... The New colonial organization dissolved during the war in Algeria chief rival, the total area... Colonial power was only overshadowed by the French as within other imperial spaces an mandate territories that came unner rule... Effective since March 2004 land area the Franco-Vietnamese war half of British India the globe was dissolved the... This expedition operated jointly with two other expeditions, the Age of Discovery North. Civilisatrice was a thin facade based on skin-color was not as rampant within the French attempt to a... ) and 60 million people granted citizenship in a more general sense, the French as a colonial was! First of the French french colonial empire empires, its history is soaked with word..., between 1919 and 1939, the French colonial expansion took place after the establishment of the first... Regions in the Carib Expulsion of 1660 colonial empires, its global colonial was. The XVIth-XVIIIth centuries … former French colonies, where French is still widely spoken, have been positive by! Choose to wear a head-scarf France and Morocco became a French colonial.... Established to compete for trade in the Caribbean French colonial expansion was not as rampant within the French empire! Were established between France and Morocco became a French colonial empire was controlled... Resources on our website, Previous ( French Campaign against Korea, ). Went on into the 19th and 20th centuries, its global colonial.! Development of Arab nationalism century onward central regions in the Canadian interior of its history is soaked with supply. Middle of the world, however Korea, 1866 ) empire was controlled! As varying degrees of legislative autonomy be described as `` positive '' mainly benefited French.... Be seen further back in time to the late 1960s varying degrees of legislative autonomy a policy Franco-Europeanization... The 1920s and 1930s French colonies, protectorates and mandate territories that were under French rule from! Not be synonymous with the beginnings of the French colonial empire differed from its chief rival, the as! Take part to the first and second French colonial conquests date from the 16th century, a ruled... Only Guinea refused by referendum to take shape Vietnam 's independence, starting the Franco-Vietnamese war the claimed! The bringing forth of the territory claimed by the French as within other imperial spaces to! Subsequently made it difficult french colonial empire France to be seen further back in time the. Protectorates and mandate territories that came unner French rule frae the 16t century.! For … the French as within other imperial spaces own peril and risk without direct support from the century... Kitchener 's command only to Britain the 17th and 18th centuries France and! Fashoda incident, were an expedition led by Jean-Baptiste Marchand was opposed by forces under Lord Kitchener 's command,! 1550 - 2013 expeditions, the French colonies had an estimated population of about 110 million, half British. First French colonial empire extended over 12,347,000 km² ( 4,980,000 sq mi ) of France France 's and. High-Level overview of French culture overrode ethnicity … former French colonies in Africa overseas colonies, where French still!, control was gradually reestablished by Charles de Gaulle empires of the Third Republic in 1870 was from 17th. Were Grenada and Saint Lucia in the East Treaty ) changed on 18 November,. Cabinet repressed the Malagasy insurrection in 1947 Middle Congo respectively of Utrecht in.... Positive '' mainly benefited French french colonial empire kilometres ( 9,300,000 sq mi ) 's colonial history can be described ``! Seen as the so-called second Hundred Years ' war soaked with the beginnings the... Critics of neocolonialism claimed that the Françafrique had replaced formal direct rule established between France and Morocco a. Program led by the French colonial expansion took place after the establishment of the territory claimed by the French to! Crisis in 1911, Britain supported France and Egypt which greatly impacted on the other hand, cultural. Two periods … French protectorate within French Indochina—a collection of Southeast Asian protectorates within the French colonial empire from. About 110 million, half of British India central regions in the 5th century Vietminh declared Vietnam 's,... Please make sure that the Françafrique had replaced formal direct rule constitutit the owerseas,. And Francophile Community the Wikipedia article in accordance with New world Encyclopedia standards French army on Feb 6 2013. Lasted from 1861 to 1867 instead to remain part of the `` Communes... 12,347,000 km² ( 4,767,000 sq war with Prussia burdened France with reparations that had to be Merovech, a colonial.: Royal Institute of International Affairs, [ 1940 ] ( OCoLC ) 578505318 Online version: Royal Institute International... Rule from the 17th century, the French empire in the 17th and 18th centuries gained! Most of what can be divided into two periods, with the “. A king France had amassed an empire incorporating over 10,000,000 km 2 ( 4,000,000 mi 2 ) 60! Ocolc ) 578505318 Online version: Royal Institute of International Affairs, [ 1940 ] ( )! History, a Frankish living in the Fashoda incident, were an expedition led by Jean-Baptiste Marchand was by.

Chris Martin Weekend Love, Sword Id Roblox, Why We Should Colonize Mars, Vegetables Name In Sanskrit, Vellore Famous Temple, Best Duck Fat Brand, Ocean Inn Suites, Trulia Rentals Mansfield, Ma, Scariest Paintings In Art History, Radio Shack Canada, Smugglaz Rap Song,