The Crossroads Of France
France today remains at a crossroad of history. Will Sarkozy who was just elected President change the tempo and makeup of French society just when it appears that it will be subject to socialistic and racial forces that could rip down France as a bulwark of Western tradition? This isn't the first time that the Gallic nation has been the fulcrum that influenced the streams and rivers of time. The geography of France as well as its people, a blend of Celtic-Romano-German lends itself to being molded and shaped by the forces of history much more so than many other countries anywhere else in Europe that has on more than one occasion given the West the space to breath when by all other accounts she would and perhaps should have been extinguished from history. France more than any other country has been the shieldmaiden of Western Europe and without her, I say this advisedly knowing the ego of the Frenchman, we in the West would be under some foreign dictatorship either religious, racial and/or political.
Let history speak for itself:
Julius Caesar - Were it not for the Gauls, ancient Celtic tribes that inhabited present day France, the greatest man of Western History, Julius Caesar, would never have come to power. His advent on the hills and plains of Gaul would change the balance of power in Rome forever. His prestige gained from the conquest of Gaul in 52 BC allowed him to cross the Rubicon and take Rome for himself and leaving the the Roman Republic to collapse upon itself and giving rise to the greatest empire seen in the West.
Attila the Hun - The invasion of Western Europe by an Asiatic elite had nearly been complete until it ran afoul on the shoals of France. The Hunnic invasion of France in 451 AD nearly changed the complexion and racial makeup of Europa as the Huns themselves were of an Asiatic stock. Though they were Asian in racial makeup, they only formed the elite head of this barbarian force. The Hun army was in fact made up of German and Slavic auxiliaries with a Hunnic leadership corps as its head. Nevertheless, a coalition of Roman, Celtic and Visigothic armies met the Huns at Chalons in Gaul and were defeated by Rome and her allies. The result of this battle ended Attila's strategic movement to capture the West for himself. This was also the last victory for the Empire of Rome as she would officially expire in 476 AD when the advent of Gothic German tribes to reign supreme over the "eternal city".
Charles Martel - Saved France and Europe from an Islamic servitude at the Battle of Tours in 732 AD. With France fully invested by German tribes known as the Franks and from which the nation itself was named after, the country itself was still vulnerable to invasion from the East in Germany from the Saxons and from the South in Spain from the Moors. From Spain, the Umayyad Islamic peoples, attempted to expand their control over Southern France and if they remained unchecked is quite possible the whole of France would have fallen to them. However, Charles the "Hammer" dealt a deathblow to the Islamic invasion and sealed his reputation as a brilliant general and the forefather of western heavy cavalry, chivalry and founder of the Carolingian Empire.
The Crusades - Though not geographically in France were it not for the Franks however lending their leadership, armies and logistical support, then the Crusades would have never have been made possible and the conquest of Moslem dominated Jerusalem in 1099 AD would have not been secured without the advent of France. Whatever the motivations and goals of the First Crusade, the fact is that the French influence in the Holy Land of all the nations that participated in the Crusades was the greatest in both material and dare I say spiritual support. Whether one agrees or disagrees as to the efficacy of such a mission the fact remains France was the pivot that this endeavor rested upon for good or for ill. Many western nations contributed such as England, Italy and Germany, however, by far the Franks formed the backbone of this expeditionary force that changed history and continues to effect us today.
Thirty Years War - The classic Protestant/Catholic War over the control of the Hapsburg Empire in Centural Europe from 1618 - 1648 would have been lost to the Catholic forces were it not for France stepping in and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat for the Protestants. Yes, this was shrewd international brinkmanship on the part of Cardinal Richeliu of France since clearly this nation was Catholic in makeup, however, once again were it not for France then it would have likely been a Catholic European victory over the German-Nordic countries and would have crushed the Lutheran and Calvinistic sects of Protestant Christianity forever. France would come to inherit the Catholic mantle, however at the expense of the Royal House of the Holy Roman Empire with the rise of the Bourban Dynasty on the French Throne.
Louis the XIV - Its good to be the King! The reign of this French Monarch would change the history of Europe in both art, culture, language, economics, and military and would form the "gilded age" of the French Court. Between 1661 and 1715 AD, the Sun King as he would come to be known as, would exert his influence throughout Europa and would reign for an astounding 59 years. Though many alliances were made against France and her King, she would prevail on many occasion and even expand her territorial possessions. Nearly all of the European nation states would come to emulate the French Court even as far away as Moscow. His involvement in the world in Africa, Asia and ultimately in the New World would set the stage for France's influence in the birth of the United States of America.
American Independence - The titanic struggle for control in the New World would see France defeated by Britain militarily but the French would have the last say in determining the destiny of the British colonies in America. France once again was the pivot that made American independence a remote possibility when she intervened on our behalf in 1775. She lent monies, leadership, supplies and most of all, her navy. America essentially was completely bereft of a navy. Her only hope lie in the French Fleet and this would become the capstone to victory over the British that would cement our Independence from Great Britain. America would now come to influence history herself thanks to the King and people of France. For this, we are eternally grateful.
The French Revolution - It seems that giving birth to America broke the French Monarchy in 1789 among many other factors in and around France and once again she would alter the streams and rivers of history. The French Revolution has become synonymous with the overthrow of the tyranny of monarchy and replacing it with the tyranny of revolution. This also marks a demarcation in French History in which the French people no longer would lend obedience to the ancien' regime. Obedience to the crown had become passe' and the spirit of rebellion would now become de rigueur among the rank and file of France. The French Revolution, and not the American "Revolution" would actually become the standard operating procedure for overcoming the monarchs of other nations as well in the coming decades and centuries in Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa.
Napoleon Bonaparte - From the ashes and blood of the Revolution came the man that would not only alter the history of France but of Europe and America to this day. The advent of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799 would see nearly all of Europe conquered by force of arms from Spain to Germany even unto Russia itself as far away as Moscow. The need for additional funds to pay for this conquest would see France selling a huge portion of the interior of the current United States in the form of the Louisiana Purchase. His Napoleonic Code set in stone the modern foundations of present day France. Eventually, he would be defeated by a combined force of German and British armies at Waterloo when he returned from exile after initially being forced to abdicate in 1814. His reign as First Consul and then Emperor of France marks the first time in European history that Ancient Rome once again takes precedence over Christendom with the rejection of Christianity as a whole as well as the replacement of all things from the Christian middle ages with Roman motifs and vernacular. His military conquests are studied to this day as the brilliant campaigns that they were even though his losses would not dispel his prestige as a conquering Caesar.
World War One - The advent of the unified German states under Bismark marks the beginning of German hegemony throughout Europe. Germany was a success at nearly everything it set its sight upon including but not limited to economics, military, political, culture and influence throughout middle Europa and the world. But like Attila the Hun before them, German plans of expansion ran aground upon the shoals of France. Whatever the rationale for going to war in 1914 nothing could be secure for the German Monarchy without the capture and occupation of their western cousins in France. Everywhere on the battlefields of Europe saw German troops victorious against their enemies and yet France was the nut they couldn't crack. Upon this rock they broke themselves at the gates of Paris and by 1919 they found themselves surrendering to the exhausted allies. Though it could be argued World War One also broke France as well. She would never recover from the horrors of this great war and has suffered defeat after defeat since. Yet, she did hold the line at the Battle of the Marne and if she had collapsed before the Germans its not likely the British could have saved her from German occupation. This singular battle ultimately led to the allied, some would say Pyrrhic, victory over Germany in 1919.
World War Two - France makes and breaks Germany at the beginning and end of the Second World War. Where it not for the fall of France in 1940 then Germany would likely not have invaded Russia. The Fall of France thus has huge historical impact as Germany now gears for war against Russia. The invasion of Russia in 1941 opens the door to a potential two or three front war that does indeed come to fruition. The advent of the Allies on the beaches of Normandy on June 6th, 1944 spells the doom of Nazi Germany over Europe. It could be argued that the Russians actually provided the muscle for the allies in defeating Germany, however, were it not for the multiple fronts opened up in Italy and especially in France then Germany could have and would have prevailed over Russia. In fact, the pivot of France upon allied operations once again influences the speed of collapse of the German Reich like no other battle in World War II. Russia fought for years to beat back Germany. Likewise in Italy, it was a tough fight and didn't have the impact that was expected upon the German war machine. In France, however, the decisive outcome of D-Day would show itself in just under 10 months after American troops set foot upon the shores of Normandy with the complete and unconditional surrender of all German forces to the allies. It also must not be forgotten that Patton himself could have brought American forces to Berlin before the Russians arrived. This of course is debatable however, D-Day provides this opportunity like no other battle in Europe and of course its the fulcrum of France that provides this potential course of history.
France, whether for good or for ill, has been a great influence upon the affairs of man like no other nation in history. Whether simply being a location of a historical battle or providing history with the captains of politics or both, France remains one of the great nations of mankind that has made the most impact upon the world for the past 2000 years. Vive le France.
Let history speak for itself:
Julius Caesar - Were it not for the Gauls, ancient Celtic tribes that inhabited present day France, the greatest man of Western History, Julius Caesar, would never have come to power. His advent on the hills and plains of Gaul would change the balance of power in Rome forever. His prestige gained from the conquest of Gaul in 52 BC allowed him to cross the Rubicon and take Rome for himself and leaving the the Roman Republic to collapse upon itself and giving rise to the greatest empire seen in the West.
Attila the Hun - The invasion of Western Europe by an Asiatic elite had nearly been complete until it ran afoul on the shoals of France. The Hunnic invasion of France in 451 AD nearly changed the complexion and racial makeup of Europa as the Huns themselves were of an Asiatic stock. Though they were Asian in racial makeup, they only formed the elite head of this barbarian force. The Hun army was in fact made up of German and Slavic auxiliaries with a Hunnic leadership corps as its head. Nevertheless, a coalition of Roman, Celtic and Visigothic armies met the Huns at Chalons in Gaul and were defeated by Rome and her allies. The result of this battle ended Attila's strategic movement to capture the West for himself. This was also the last victory for the Empire of Rome as she would officially expire in 476 AD when the advent of Gothic German tribes to reign supreme over the "eternal city".
Charles Martel - Saved France and Europe from an Islamic servitude at the Battle of Tours in 732 AD. With France fully invested by German tribes known as the Franks and from which the nation itself was named after, the country itself was still vulnerable to invasion from the East in Germany from the Saxons and from the South in Spain from the Moors. From Spain, the Umayyad Islamic peoples, attempted to expand their control over Southern France and if they remained unchecked is quite possible the whole of France would have fallen to them. However, Charles the "Hammer" dealt a deathblow to the Islamic invasion and sealed his reputation as a brilliant general and the forefather of western heavy cavalry, chivalry and founder of the Carolingian Empire.
The Crusades - Though not geographically in France were it not for the Franks however lending their leadership, armies and logistical support, then the Crusades would have never have been made possible and the conquest of Moslem dominated Jerusalem in 1099 AD would have not been secured without the advent of France. Whatever the motivations and goals of the First Crusade, the fact is that the French influence in the Holy Land of all the nations that participated in the Crusades was the greatest in both material and dare I say spiritual support. Whether one agrees or disagrees as to the efficacy of such a mission the fact remains France was the pivot that this endeavor rested upon for good or for ill. Many western nations contributed such as England, Italy and Germany, however, by far the Franks formed the backbone of this expeditionary force that changed history and continues to effect us today.
Thirty Years War - The classic Protestant/Catholic War over the control of the Hapsburg Empire in Centural Europe from 1618 - 1648 would have been lost to the Catholic forces were it not for France stepping in and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat for the Protestants. Yes, this was shrewd international brinkmanship on the part of Cardinal Richeliu of France since clearly this nation was Catholic in makeup, however, once again were it not for France then it would have likely been a Catholic European victory over the German-Nordic countries and would have crushed the Lutheran and Calvinistic sects of Protestant Christianity forever. France would come to inherit the Catholic mantle, however at the expense of the Royal House of the Holy Roman Empire with the rise of the Bourban Dynasty on the French Throne.
Louis the XIV - Its good to be the King! The reign of this French Monarch would change the history of Europe in both art, culture, language, economics, and military and would form the "gilded age" of the French Court. Between 1661 and 1715 AD, the Sun King as he would come to be known as, would exert his influence throughout Europa and would reign for an astounding 59 years. Though many alliances were made against France and her King, she would prevail on many occasion and even expand her territorial possessions. Nearly all of the European nation states would come to emulate the French Court even as far away as Moscow. His involvement in the world in Africa, Asia and ultimately in the New World would set the stage for France's influence in the birth of the United States of America.
American Independence - The titanic struggle for control in the New World would see France defeated by Britain militarily but the French would have the last say in determining the destiny of the British colonies in America. France once again was the pivot that made American independence a remote possibility when she intervened on our behalf in 1775. She lent monies, leadership, supplies and most of all, her navy. America essentially was completely bereft of a navy. Her only hope lie in the French Fleet and this would become the capstone to victory over the British that would cement our Independence from Great Britain. America would now come to influence history herself thanks to the King and people of France. For this, we are eternally grateful.
The French Revolution - It seems that giving birth to America broke the French Monarchy in 1789 among many other factors in and around France and once again she would alter the streams and rivers of history. The French Revolution has become synonymous with the overthrow of the tyranny of monarchy and replacing it with the tyranny of revolution. This also marks a demarcation in French History in which the French people no longer would lend obedience to the ancien' regime. Obedience to the crown had become passe' and the spirit of rebellion would now become de rigueur among the rank and file of France. The French Revolution, and not the American "Revolution" would actually become the standard operating procedure for overcoming the monarchs of other nations as well in the coming decades and centuries in Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa.
Napoleon Bonaparte - From the ashes and blood of the Revolution came the man that would not only alter the history of France but of Europe and America to this day. The advent of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799 would see nearly all of Europe conquered by force of arms from Spain to Germany even unto Russia itself as far away as Moscow. The need for additional funds to pay for this conquest would see France selling a huge portion of the interior of the current United States in the form of the Louisiana Purchase. His Napoleonic Code set in stone the modern foundations of present day France. Eventually, he would be defeated by a combined force of German and British armies at Waterloo when he returned from exile after initially being forced to abdicate in 1814. His reign as First Consul and then Emperor of France marks the first time in European history that Ancient Rome once again takes precedence over Christendom with the rejection of Christianity as a whole as well as the replacement of all things from the Christian middle ages with Roman motifs and vernacular. His military conquests are studied to this day as the brilliant campaigns that they were even though his losses would not dispel his prestige as a conquering Caesar.
World War One - The advent of the unified German states under Bismark marks the beginning of German hegemony throughout Europe. Germany was a success at nearly everything it set its sight upon including but not limited to economics, military, political, culture and influence throughout middle Europa and the world. But like Attila the Hun before them, German plans of expansion ran aground upon the shoals of France. Whatever the rationale for going to war in 1914 nothing could be secure for the German Monarchy without the capture and occupation of their western cousins in France. Everywhere on the battlefields of Europe saw German troops victorious against their enemies and yet France was the nut they couldn't crack. Upon this rock they broke themselves at the gates of Paris and by 1919 they found themselves surrendering to the exhausted allies. Though it could be argued World War One also broke France as well. She would never recover from the horrors of this great war and has suffered defeat after defeat since. Yet, she did hold the line at the Battle of the Marne and if she had collapsed before the Germans its not likely the British could have saved her from German occupation. This singular battle ultimately led to the allied, some would say Pyrrhic, victory over Germany in 1919.
World War Two - France makes and breaks Germany at the beginning and end of the Second World War. Where it not for the fall of France in 1940 then Germany would likely not have invaded Russia. The Fall of France thus has huge historical impact as Germany now gears for war against Russia. The invasion of Russia in 1941 opens the door to a potential two or three front war that does indeed come to fruition. The advent of the Allies on the beaches of Normandy on June 6th, 1944 spells the doom of Nazi Germany over Europe. It could be argued that the Russians actually provided the muscle for the allies in defeating Germany, however, were it not for the multiple fronts opened up in Italy and especially in France then Germany could have and would have prevailed over Russia. In fact, the pivot of France upon allied operations once again influences the speed of collapse of the German Reich like no other battle in World War II. Russia fought for years to beat back Germany. Likewise in Italy, it was a tough fight and didn't have the impact that was expected upon the German war machine. In France, however, the decisive outcome of D-Day would show itself in just under 10 months after American troops set foot upon the shores of Normandy with the complete and unconditional surrender of all German forces to the allies. It also must not be forgotten that Patton himself could have brought American forces to Berlin before the Russians arrived. This of course is debatable however, D-Day provides this opportunity like no other battle in Europe and of course its the fulcrum of France that provides this potential course of history.
France, whether for good or for ill, has been a great influence upon the affairs of man like no other nation in history. Whether simply being a location of a historical battle or providing history with the captains of politics or both, France remains one of the great nations of mankind that has made the most impact upon the world for the past 2000 years. Vive le France.
posted by Bruce R. McConnell | 9:19 AM
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