Vive la France! Liberty/Equality/Fraternity at least in Theory.

by Uwe Paschen | July 14, 2009 at 05:16 am

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By, Uwe Paschen.

Vive la France. (14 Juillet Fete National) or should that be Vive Paris?

Today as in 1680 under the war hungry King Louis the XIV of France, who once said that “Paris is France but France will never be Paris”, This is still very true nowadays, because not much has changed since then in regard to that perception nor the discrepancy between the two.

The much contested central ruling over France by Paris leaves to this day much anger and frustration in the Departments and territories that Louis the XIV implemented and that Napoleon perfected. Maybe why today, Paris is celebrating as usual and with great pomp and glamour, where as the rest of France lets this day go by with little notice and in some case you will never know that it is a National holiday, such as in the Massif Central, Guadeloupe and Alsace for instance, who are masters at shunning this day.

Therefore, it is not like the 4th of July in the US, at least not for all of France. Come to think of it, it was that very American Revolution that the French King Louis the XVI financed and supported with so much determination that it starved his own people and caused for his head to roll of the Guillotine.

France under Louis the XVI was very upset with Great Britain to wish it had lost some of its most prised Colonies such as Quebec, after losing a long and Global fought war against the English.

As the American rebellion started and George Washington then a terrorist acted against the crown, (Yes, he was a Terrorist back them, at least for the British he was and until he won the revolution successfully with the help of France that is.) Never the less, this uprising gave France the opportunity to get back at the British and maybe even retake their former colonies.

Well, it did not quiet worked out that way, but France succeeded in driving the British out of most of North America, except for Quebec and Canada that is. France did retained control over New Orleans in Louisiana (the land of Louis) though and this until 1803 when Napoleon sold it to the US.

This so called great French Revolution, that some believe to end with this day of July the 14th of 1789 did actually started with the storming of the Bastille rather then end. Since it was the beginning of a long, paranoid and bloody period of France's history, neither glorious nor romantic at all. Every one was suspected to be a traitor to the revolution and many ended up executed for nothing more then being disliked by their neighbour or Sibling.

The French Revolution went out of hand and out of control to a point that Napoleon reinstates Imperial Laws and Rules still in place to this day with the Code of Napoleon. This was followed by the return of the Monarchy with Louis the XIIX of France in 1814 after the Napoleonic wars drove the Emperor into exile.

In 1830, a civil uprising established the constitutional July Monarchy, which lasted only until 1848. The short-lived Second Republic that followed ended in 1852 when Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte proclaimed the Second Empire. Louis-Napoléon was unseated following defeat in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870 and his regime was replaced by the Third Republic. This was followed by the Vichy Government in WWII and the forth republic after the War, wish gave way to the Fifth Republic. This Fifth Republic contained a strengthened Presidency. In the latter role, Charles de Gaulle managed to keep the country together while taking steps to end the war with Algeria and in Asia. The Algerian War and Franco-French civil war that resulted in the capital Algiers, was concluded with peace negotiations in 1962 that led to Algerian independence. Wish France has not quiet digested to this day.

The Irony of all this is that the great revolution never succeeded in a way, since the ideals of Liberty, Fraternity and Equality only applied to some of Frances subjects not to all though. It never came to mind to the founders of the first Republic, nor their followers to free the Colonies or make them equals Citizen, nor to give equal rights to Woman. Those would have to wait until after the second World war and even today one should not proclaim to be Homo Sexual in France unless you have no ambitions of a Political, Industrial or Military carer that is. Even though in theory France is liberal today, in practice it is far from it and does still hang on in mythology to the first Empire of Napoleon as well as trying to deny its Germanic heritage and the extermination of the Aboriginal Gaul that the Germanic Clan of the Franks conducted in what is today France this they do not want to hear and deny still today with furore even though The name "France" coming from Latin Francia, which literally means "land of the Franks" or "Frankland" gives it away. Nevertheless, who cares about reality and facts?

Then again, how can one not love France with all its contradictions, populous glamour and show? Just do not let them rule the World nor write history books.

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Amy Judd

at 12:05 on July 14th, 2009

I have a friend who lives in Paris, and she hates when people just assume that Paris is just like the rest of France and vice versa - I never understood it much myself, but I don't live there I suppose that's the reason.

Uwe Paschen

at 08:40 on July 15th, 2009

Paris is like an old patriarch over the rest of France. Corsica, Alsace, Basque and Normandy as well as Guadeloupe and Martinique have all ambition of independence from France in the same way as Scotland does from Britain. I am not sure if that makes it any clearer.

Roy C

at 13:14 on July 14th, 2009

Recent historical information says that the main reason for the famine was the French peasants' resistance to planting potatoes.

Most Europeans couldn't stand the thought of eating this thing from below the ground that was so dirty, but the Germans learned to eat them.

They had resisted eating them as well, but the passage of armies who ate everything and stole the rest, leaving the potatoes buried under the ground meant that you ate them or you died.

Sounds odd, that the refusal to adapt a new foodstuff changed history, but, apparently, that is the current view.

Uwe Paschen

at 08:44 on July 15th, 2009

Thanks Roy for the input here, I am aware of it and I suppose had the King paid more attention to internal matters he could have done what Prussia did and avoid a famine.

But the Revolution in the Americas was dominating the agenda and keep the French Army busy out side of France.

The_Cynic

at 13:24 on July 14th, 2009

I went to Paris once - never, ever again! Going through France to get to Paris I thought that my genetic dislike of the French was unfounded - Parisians put paid to that idea.

Good piece Paschen - not many realise that it was France and NOT the US who won in the War of Independence. IF that ship with the soldiers had arrived and the French blockade had failed, the whole of North America (US and Canada) would still have the British monarchy as the head of state.

Uwe Paschen

at 08:45 on July 15th, 2009

:) Many French may even agree with you and your comment The_Cynic.

Babel-Fish

at 17:41 on July 14th, 2009

Ironic that America was founded on terrorism, lol

Paschen you made me splutter in my coffee about George Washington being a terrorist of course in fact that was very true. French people to day are not favoured by the British, though myself I hold no grudge against the French possibly because I have visited France many times and the people their seemed friendly enough. Yes it was the French that gain US its independance.

Barbara McPherson

at 19:36 on July 14th, 2009

Canadians may have a very different view of the American Revolution. England and France had been fighting a war over the lands in N. America. It was costly and had to be paid for. To help pay for the war which kept the 13 colonies in the hands of the English speaking colonists, taxes were imposed. Much like today. One of the taxes was on the imported tea. Some rabble dumped the imported tea, unlawfully, into Boston harbour -- Boston Tea Party. Many people were killed and many more were displaced during the following conflict. Many of the leading citizens of the time opted to travel to Canada - Empire Loyalists - where they could continue to live within England's sphere. This in turn displaced many people from the Acadian Peninsula who were French loyalists. They were shipped off to Louisiana Colony which was eventually sold to the new American State. They became the Cajins. Just had to add my two bits here. The story of the American Revolution has more than one facet.

Uwe Paschen

at 08:54 on July 15th, 2009

Yes Barbara, Canadian do have a different perspective, maybe because they have nothing to hide in regards to those events.

The issues that gave way to the Revolution in the Americas and in Europe have resurfaced and if not managed properly may very well give way to new revolutions and cessation's.

Uwe Paschen

at 08:47 on July 15th, 2009

Well Babel, I hope you recovered by now. History is full of irony, is it not?

Barbara McPherson

at 19:24 on July 14th, 2009

Love the article. I have had good experiences in France. We spent some time in Provence as well. Many have retained their traditional way of speaking and never resigned themselves to Paris rule. And American's shouldn't ever forget the great gift to the 13 colonies -- the Statue of Liberty. Think about that when Mr. Bush wanted to change 'pomme frittes' to 'freedome fries'.

Uwe Paschen

at 08:57 on July 15th, 2009

My favourite area in France is the Provence. Very unique and pleasant. I never liked Paris to much, to snobbish.

However, Paris does have some great museums and Libraries.

Laughing-Samurai (not verified)

at 09:18 on July 15th, 2009

I loved my time living in the Latin Quarter in the 1970's, it was a great time to be there. The memory of May 1968 was still fresh in the mind. I had an art studio in the Sorbonne. I too also like Provence, especially for the food and for landscape painting. My eldest son is French but lives in London because he does not like the restrictions of the formal French society.

Uwe Paschen

at 18:01 on July 15th, 2009

Interesting, 1968 was when de Gaule had to ask Germany for asylum and go to Baden-Baden wile Paris tried to overrun the Government.

He did eventually managed to come back and reinstate Law and Order so to speak. Those events did also strengthen the Idea of the EU, of wish France and Germany became the driving force and greatest supporters.

This move saved France from going bankrupt and it helped modernize the aging industry of France that was no longer competitive and lost all its markets due to the loss of the Colonies.

It was also the end of la bohem and the romantic perception of the cartier Latin.

Patricia Turo

at 01:43 on July 16th, 2009

PS: I think America paid back France in full it is called WWII and the Marshall Plan.

Uwe Paschen

at 03:28 on July 16th, 2009

Some of that is true in deed, however, the Marshall plan generated great profits and returns to the US and its businesses.

It actually made the US a lot of profits, no loses here. Nothing is ever done with out profit and returns in the planing.

WWII help the US more then it cost them.

Patricia Turo

at 06:03 on July 16th, 2009

I disagree. The US saved Europe and if it were not for them, Europe also would not be what it is today. It isn't just a profit and loss situation. We lost many people fighting to save Europe and having been a daughter who's father fought in England, France and Italy along with cousin who landed and was wounded in Anzio and another who landed on Utah beach on D day along with the young men from our entire family and country, I don't see it that way. It has nothing to do with dollars and cents. Give the US a little credit when it is due.

Uwe Paschen

at 06:32 on July 16th, 2009

The War was won in large part due to the USSR and not due to the US. D-Day would not have been possible with out the Russian front.

Why the US wanted to use the Atom Bomb on Germany because it could not make a dent until the Soviet started succeeding.

It has a lot to do with dollar and cents. The Allies did not want to repeat the mistake of the WWI wish ended up costing a fortune.

The return for the US proved to be immensely beneficial in the case of Germany and Japan as well. In France it took a little longer though.

It has nothing to do with not giving the US credit. They did contribute a great sacrifice, however, we have to see reality and not get nostalgic about it.

Patricia Turo

at 06:11 on July 16th, 2009

PS: This is how I measure it.

GRAND TOTAL CASUALTIES IN ARMY, NAVY, MARINES: 996,242

(AIR FORCES ARE INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE BRANCHES. US COAST Guard HAD 172,952 MEN ENGAGED, 1,917 DEATHS OF WHICH 572 WERE KILLED IN ACTION.)

THIS DATA IS FROM "THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF WWII" ARMED SERVICES MEMORIAL EDITION, CO. 1945 1948

TOTAL NUMBER IN UNITED STATES FORCES DURING WW2 ARMY:8,300,000 NAVY:4,204,662 MARINES: 599,693. GRAND TOTAL 13,104,355 TOTAL US CASUALTIES:ARMY: 223,215 KILLED IN ACTION;WOUNDED 571,679;MISSING 12,752;TOTAL ARMY CASULITES 807,646. NAVY; KILLED IN ACTION 34,702; DIED OF WOUNDS 1,783; OTHER DEATHS 26,793; TOTAL NAVY DEATHS 63,278;WOUNDED 33,670 MISSING 28; TOTAL NAVY CASUALTIES 96,976. MARINES; KILLED IN ACTION 15,460 DIED OF WOUNDS 3,163; OTHER DEATHS 5,863; TOTAL MARINE DEATHS 24,486; WOUNDED 67,134; TOTAL MARINE CAUALTIES 91,620.GRAND TOTAL KILLED IN ACTION IN ARMY NAVY MARINES 273,377.DIED OF WOUNDS LATER 4,946;OTHER DEATHS 32,656; TOTAL DEATHS 310,979. MISSING 12,780; WOUNDED 672,483; GRAND TOTAL CASUALTIES IN ARMY,NAVY,MARINES, 996,242.(AIR FORCES ARE INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE BRANCHES. US COAST GUARD HAD 172,952 MEN ENGAUGED,1,917 DEATHS OF WHICH 572 WERE KILLED IN ACTION.)

Uwe Paschen

at 06:46 on July 16th, 2009

Look at the grand total of Soviet and Chinese Causalities and where the German and Japanese lost most of their Soldiers.

Then you will see what I mean. The US had a part in those wars and that part has to be credited, but they did not win the war nor could they have with out the Soviets and China.

The Soviets did also fight Japan as well. In Japan though the US did the lion part, this with the Atom bomb though and mostly Civilian causalities.

You should read the business impositions put on both by the US.

Do not get me wrong here, WWII was in the end very profitable for most parties involved. Not only for the US.

It was a very profitable venture in the end for the US for the larger part though.

Patricia Turo

at 09:50 on July 16th, 2009

You obviously must have forgotten Pearl Harbor. The Russians were Allies and the Chinese causalities had nothing to do with the war against the Germans. The US was the only country able to produce the munitions and materials necessary to supply WWII and if they made a profit on the Marshall plan then they deserved it. The idea of the Marshall plan was to rebuild Europe's economy and create a barrier against the spread of Communism.

End of discussion!

Uwe Paschen

at 18:29 on July 16th, 2009

P.S. I did not forget Pearl Harbour, wish was a single attack on a military compound not a city like Tokyo or Berlin or London where 99% where civilian where as in Pearl Harbour 99% was military.

The Chinese where fighting the Japanese as well as the Soviets and the US. You may have miss understood me.

The US total Casualties where according to official sources 418,900 total and this includes civilian wish is 0.32% of all WWII victims.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties

The Soviet Losses where 23,100,000 People wish is 13.71% of WWII total loses.

The NAZI lost most of their war material and Soldier on the Russian front.

Most military engagements where lost by the US in forms of battles and yet they won the war due the the massif contribution of the Soviets and the Atom bomb.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_military_engagements_of_World_War_II

Uwe Paschen

at 18:15 on July 16th, 2009

The US was the only country not being under attack nor being Bombed constantly, why it could produce munitions and war supply.

The Marshall plan made the US great Financial and material Gains and profits, this even way be on the US expectations.

Why it was called a miracle.

158

at 18:50 on July 16th, 2009

Thanks.

Very good information,

and very informative.

Dane Degenhardt (not verified)

at 06:45 on July 17th, 2009

Uwe,

I was struck by your insightful comments on the Great Revolution. It had always impressed me as being a pretty well botched job (not a lot unlike Bush's liberation of Iraq.) But I had never heard how unpopular it is in the departments. Thank you for adding another reason to wince whenever a flag is waved in my face!

Here are my own comments for the grand occasion.

We Americans honor our French friends by remembering la Bastille while forgetting la Terreur; we honor our own patriots by celebrating the Declaration of Independence while denying the purge of the Tories; and yet, there are few who can even recall Russia’s Kerensky, while all loath Lenin!

However horrible tyranny may be, its greatest horrors await its aftermath.

Uwe Paschen

at 07:34 on July 17th, 2009

Thank you for the Comment and message on Facebook, I did not know I had a fellow Organic Farmer living so close to Narita. Yes, Kerensky is all to often overlooked in deed.

Iraq is in deed a good example to bring up here. Sadly so.