History of France begins around the time of ancient Gaul. At this time, France was inhabited by Celts, who were called Gauls. But Gaul in the 1st century BC, the Romans and Gauls settled had to adopt their language and culture. Today's modern name "France" originated from the feudal estates around the city of Paris, which was then under the administration Capetian. France as an independent state was established after the division of the Frankish Empire in the 843rd
In France, ruled until 987 descendants of Charlemagne, when he was crowned king Hugh Capet of France, and thus began the Capetian dynasty ruled France. Monarchy in France, however, reached its greatest power only during the reign of Louis XIV. At that time France has won tremendous power over European politics, economics and culture. France was then regarded as Europe's most populous nation and even third in the world after China and India.
Absolute monarchy was replaced in 1791 parliamentary monarchy, but then in 1792 was again amended and France this year was the first time declared a republic. In 1799, mastered the Republic of Napoleon Bonaparte, who declared himself emperor. After Napoleon to the throne receives Louis XVIII. He is finally defeated at Waterloo in 1815 and it is in the country restored the monarchy.
In 1830 during the so-called July Revolution was a constitutional monarchy in 1848 France became the second republic. The republic, however, it took less time than the first, and selecting the Emperor's nephew, Napoleon III., Who became emperor and abolished by the Republic. Louis (Napoleon III.) But was deposed and France after the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War. After all these events, the Republic of France was the third time.
France came in first and second world war victorious, but suffered extensive loss of colonies and populations. Po 2 World War, France became a republic after the fourth and in 1958 it was raised in France, the current "fifth" republic. In the following years, France has started to reconcile with Germany, and now these two states even together leading political and economic integration of Europe.
