HISTORY OF FRANCE

The name France comes from Latin Francia, which literally means "land of the
Franks". Originally it applied to the whole Frankish Empire, extending from southern
France to eastern Germany. The name of the Franks itself is said to come from the
Proto-Germanic word *frankon which means "javelin, lance". Another proposed
etymology is that Frank means "the free men", based on the fact that the word frank
meant "free" in the ancient Germanic languages. However, rather than the ethnic
name of the Franks coming from the word frank ("free"), it is more probable that the
word frank ("free") comes from the ethnic name of the Franks, the connection being
that only the Franks, as the conquering class, had the status of freemen.

In ancient times, France was a part of Celtic Territory called Gaul. The Romans, led
by Julius Caesar, captured this place in the 1st century BC. During the 2nd century
AD Christianity took strong foothold in this region and thus became the major
religion of this place.

During the 4th century AD, a German tribe called 'Franks' captured the eastern side of
Gaul, along the banks of the River Rhine. The country got its name from the name of
the feudal territory of the Capetian Kings of France. By the 7th century, the entire
region was taken over by the Franks and in 9th century, it became a separate country
altogether. The Treaty of Verdun and the division of Charlemagne's Carolingian
Empire into three parts, namely East Francia, Middle Francia and West Francia, in
843 AD, actually led to the emergence of France as a separate country. Over the years
the country was ruled by the monarchy and royal dynasties like the Capetians, Valois
and the Bourbon.

History of France is known for its monarchy and aristocracy. The French monarchy
reached its heights in the 17th century during the reign of King Louis XIV. During his
rule, the country became extremely powerful. Trade flourished and the country
became a center for art and culture. The rule of the French monarchy, however, came
to an end after the French Revolution of 1789, and the execution of the King Louis
XVI and his wife Queen Marie Antoinette. The French revolution was a major event
in the history of France. After that, in 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte took over the
country. He ruled from 1804 to 1814. After his defeat in the Battle of Waterloo in
1815, the monarchy was re-established in the country.

France had numerous colonial possessions since ancient times and it was the second
largest after those of the British Empire. During the First World War, the country
suffered extensive losses. During the Second World War, France surrendered to
Germany in 1940 before being freed by the Allies in 1944. Over the years the country
fought many wars like the French Indochina War and the War with Algeria. France
signed a peace declaration with Algeria in 1962 to bring an end to its colonial rule on
that country.