French Colonial Empire
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France has possessed multiple empires over its existence, but the most recent, the French Empire of the Modern Era, is included here.
Understand
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.
The French Revolution led up to the Napoleonic Wars in which the First French Empire was eventually defeated, and replaced by the Bourbon Monarchy which made concessions to other European great powers.
France's Modern Era Empire began with the conquest of Algiers in 1830.
The 1830 July Revolt overthrew the dynasty and led to the July Monarchy up to 1848, followed by the Second Republic (from 1848), the Second Empire (from 1852) and Third Republic (from 1870). The Second Empire, led by Napoleon III, was particularly expansionist, especially in Africa and Southeast Asia. Around 1930, the French Empire controlled much of Africa and parts of the Middle East and Asia. The colonial empire dissolved in the decades following World War II, and by the 21st century, it had been reduced to small territories, mostly scattered islands.
The French Revolution led up to the Napoleonic Wars in which the First French Empire was eventually defeated, and replaced by the Bourbon Monarchy which made concessions to other European great powers.
France's Modern Era Empire began with the conquest of Algiers in 1830.
The 1830 July Revolt overthrew the dynasty and led to the July Monarchy up to 1848, followed by the Second Republic (from 1848), the Second Empire (from 1852) and Third Republic (from 1870). The Second Empire, led by Napoleon III, was particularly expansionist, especially in Africa and Southeast Asia. Around 1930, the French Empire controlled much of Africa and parts of the Middle East and Asia. The colonial empire dissolved in the decades following World War II, and by the 21st century, it had been reduced to small territories, mostly scattered islands.
Destinations
Historical sites
- Palace of Versailles — Signing of the Treaty of Versailles
- Place de la Concorde — Home to colonial architecture
- The French Ardennes — Site of multiple battles in both world wars.
Former French colonies
As of 1930
- Sahel — Mali, Niger, Mauritania, and Chad
- Cameroon
- Gabon
- Indochina — Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia; see also Indochina Wars
- Republic of the Congo
- Madagascar
- Algeria
- Syria
- Lebanon
- Central African Republic
- Morocco — not including the Western Sahara
- Tunisia
- Benin
- Togo
- Ivory Coast
- Guinea
- Senegal
- Djibouti
- Burkina Faso
- Comoros
- Pondicherry — now part of India
- Vanuatu
Current overseas territories
As of 2019:
- Clipperton Island
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- French Southern and Antarctic Lands
- Guadeloupe
- Martinique
- Mayotte
- New Caledonia
- Réunion
- Saint-Barthélemy
- Saint Martin
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- Wallis and Futuna