France

### Conflicts

Wars of Frankish Succession, Second Colonial Wars, Great Wars, Mediterranean War, French Revolution, Cold War

### Years Active

Until 1820, 1894-Today (in exile 1984-1990)

Current map of France

France, officially the Kingdom of France, is a monarchy and former colonial empire in western Europe. It borders Brittany to the west, Spain to the south, Belgium and Germany to the northeast, and Switzerland and Italy to the southeast. It has a long history known for various government types and royal families, invasions, rivalries (especially with England) and for its contributions to decolonization and world peace.

France is a founder of the Global Council, as well as of the European Federation. It is considered a global power.

## History

France has its origins in the Franks, a Germanic tribe. It was one of several tribes that held significant influence over the Roman Empire, especially towards the 300s and 400s AD. The Kingdom of the Franks achieved full independence by 500, and was closely aligned with the Roman Christian Church (later known as the Catholic Church).

The kingdom became known as Francia, and it was the most powerful country in western Europe. In 800, the Papacy of Rome fell under Frankish control, and the King of Francia declared himself the Holy Roman Emperor (a successor title to Roman Emperor created by the Catholics). In 880, this title was lost when the King at the time had no easily determinable successor.

### Wars of Frankish Succession

Some Frankish nobles expanded their influence into England and became Kings; they claimed legitimacy. The Pope, trying to regain power, also claimed legitimacy. A series of wars between 880 and 910 ensued, and one of the Franco-English kings won, uniting the two countries for a brief period of time. The Papacy seceded from Francia, but its power was usurped by one of the leading generals who declared himself Holy Roman Emperor, forming the Holy Roman Empire.

(Note: The period between 1000 and 1770 AD is not yet finalized. This section will be expanded when it is.)

### French Colonial Empire

France was one of the major colonial empires alongside England, Spain, and Portugal. Their main territories were Indochina, Louisiana, Quebec, and French West Africa. During the Second Colonial Wars, they lost Quebec and much of Louisiana.

### Fall of Great Britain

France was a key player in the collapse of the United Kingdom. In 1804 they invaded and retook Quebec (selling Louisiana to Portugal to fund the war), which greatly damaged British reputation and raised support for Canadian independence. Shortly after the war they released Canada, but continued to collapse until 1807 when it officially dissolved.

### First Great War

France and the Ottoman Empire intervened in the Italian Revolution of 1812, taking Libya. The result was the deposition of the Italian king and the establishment of the Italian Nazionale, a fascist government. Fearing aggression, France formed the Quintuple Alliance with Yugoslavia, Greece, the Ottomans, and North Russia. However, due to these members having several enemies, Italy was able to create a larger alliance (the European Legion), consisting of Spain, the British countries, Germany, Persia, Japan, and South Russia.

The war quickly proved disastrous for France when it began in 1817. The only Quintuple Alliance member that survived annexation or occupation was North Russia, who triumphed over South Russia and Japan and held a separate treaty. In 1820, the war ended in favor of Italy's European Legion, with Italy gaining most of the Mediterranean and declaring the Roman Empire.

### Occupation period

France lost most of its land, including all of its colonies, as a result of the Treaty of Berlin. From 1820 to 1894, France was under the control of the European Legion, and was officially known as the Legion State of France (one of two 'Legion States', the other being Byzantium).

The earlier years of the occupation were especially harsh on France, fueled by hatred from past rivalries. But the Mediterranean War awarded France with more autonomy and land when they helped defend Spain against Roman aggression. The European Legion was dissolved and the more organized European Council replaced it, which continued to govern France but also gave it some representation, as they could participate in Council meetings.

### French Revolution

The situation in France remained largely unchanged until the 1880s and 90s, when desire for independence and a return to the colonial empire were high. As Council governance became more strict, the French people grew more restless, which resulted in the French Revolution (1894-1899). With the support of the Worldwide Confederation and Rome (who had a change of heart following the Mediterranean War), France was able to hold its own and establish treaties with Germany, Spain and Austria to solidify their independence by 1899.

A political crisis within France ensued, however, due to rising socialist support in the wake of California, Central Africa and England all successfully establishing socialist governments. A new government was created which did have some aspects of socialism, but was more akin to the Federal Republic of Russia, and some power was still held by the King. The political group (later terrorist organization and UCSR satellite) Egalite was formed during this time.

### Independent-International and the Second Great War

Somewhat controversially, France was invited to the republican IND-INT organization, a military and diplomacy alliance. France had been a long time ally of Russia and Canada regardless, but the fact that they were not a true republic concerned some. France also established its own alliances with Rome and Byzantium, although these two did not join IND-INT.

France did not participate in the occupation of China during the Chinese Civil War.

When the Second Great War began (due to the Chinese Civil War spillover into India), France was nearly overwhelmed with German and Spanish invasion and were unable to help much in the beginning of the war. However, when Roman and English invasion distracted German forces, they were able to recover and invade Africa and South America, cutting off Spanish supply.

### Inter-War Period

France was one of the major powers that helped redraw the world map. They regained much of the territory they once had before the First Great War, as well as Alsace-Lorraine, a territory which traded between France and Germany many times in history. Just as the French revolutionaries hoped, the French colonial empire was re-established.

The Great Tea Party of 1940 was the first meeting of the new Global Council, an organization dedicated to establishing world peace. In it, countries made deals and promises to contribute to the cause. France declared that all of their colonies would be fully independent by 1960, and encouraged other countries to do the same.

The spread of socialism around the world as a result of the war threatened France, as the main socialist party Egalite began committing terroristic acts, and it was theorized that they were getting support from Britain and West Germany. This pressure worsened when the UCSR was formed, and resulted in France having to cede territory in the late 1970s.

### Third Great War

France was a battlefield yet again in the Third Great War, but not for long, as they were completely overwhelmed from all sides by UCSR forces by 1984. The government went into exile in Ravenna, Italy, where they helped form the European Federation (in some aspects a spiritual successor to the European Council). After several rough years of fighting and losses, French resistance forces were able to turn the tide in 1989, and recaptured all territory in 1990 (except Brittany, which was granted independence).

## Government

France is a constitutional monarchy with a semi-presidential system. The President is elected directly, while the Prime Minister is elected by the Parliament (made up of representatives of the Regions of France). The President is responsible for most of the international and nation-wide decisions, while the Prime Minister is responsible for most domestic and multi-regional decisions. The President has a fixed term of 3 years, while the Prime Minister can be re-elected at any time and has no term limit. The re-election usually happens alongside the Presidential election because Presidents and MPs are elected at the same time, so when there is a shift in majority, a re-election happens. If the President ever resigns or is otherwise unable to hold office (such as in the event of death), a presidential election is held. The current Prime Minister cannot become President (until they are no longer serving), and a past President cannot serve as Prime Minister.