France

Author: CCTV Program Group of "Rise of a Great Nation"
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: In the 17th century, King Louis XIV established the most powerful absolute monarchy on the European continent in France, thereby bringing the country's economy, culture, and military power to an historical peak, with Paris being born during that period. Louis XIV's fondness for culture and arts nurtured the people's admiration for intellectual culture, and the Enlightenment, which swept across Europe, was widely disseminated in France. The Enlightenment broke the theological shackles of medieval Europe and opened the door to reason, yet the escalating contradictions among the three social classes in French society, which had long been unresolved, intensified. In 1789, the French Revolution broke out, and the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen" was proclaimed. However, the suppression by other European monarchies led to extreme events and prolonged instability in France. At this time, Napoleon emerged as the child of the Revolution, once again bringing France to its pinnacle through conquest of Europe. Yet, military expansion could not sustain a great nation's status. It was not until after World War II that France, under the leadership of General de Gaulle's independent and autonomous development path, restored its former glory. The book takes France as its subject, showcasing the country's journey in becoming a strong nation across different periods. It is mainly divided into eight major parts: the Hundred Years' War, Religious Wars, Louis XIV, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, the Great Conqueror, Centennial Turmoil, and de Gaulle.