The French Republic is one of the most economically and politically developed states in the world. The modern administrative-territorial structure of France was formed over many centuries, and the process included wars with neighbors, feudal wars within the country, as well as a long period of colonial wars on other continents. The Great French Revolution of 1789-1799 also played an important role in the history of the country and the entire European continent. The active labor movement that had existed since the beginning of the nineteenth century was also important for the state structure of the country.
Middle Ages in France
The form of the administrative-territorial structure of the medieval Frankish state was a typical feudal model with numerous small rulers. By the end of the 10th century, the royal central authority had no authority over two dozen dukes and counts, each of whom strove for maximum independence from the supreme ruler.
In 987, the Capetian dynasty came to power in the territory of the Frankish kingdom, named after its founder - Hugo Capeta. The beginning of the reign of the new dynasty was overshadowed by numerous religious wars within the country, the Crusades and the so-called Avignon captivity of the Pope, when the Pope was actually held hostage by the French kings.
However, the history of the state construction of France replenished in the Middle Ages with such remarkable events as the convening of the General States in 1302. In fact, this was the first French parliament, whose influence on subsequent history can hardly be overestimated, since parliamentarism is firmly rooted in the French political tradition.
France in New Time
The state and territorial structure of France moved to a new form during the reign of Louis XI (1461-1483). During his reign, the unification of the country under the pretty strong sole authority of the king was actually completed, the powers of local feudal rulers were significantly reduced and the formation of a cult of the central ruler, which played a fatal role in state history and led to the Great Revolution, was begun.
In 1589, the lateral branch of the Capetian dynasty, the Valois dynasty , was suppressed . She was replaced by a new dynasty - the Bourbons, whose first representative on the French throne was Henry IV. The new king put an end to religious wars between Catholics and Protestants, raging for several decades.
Signed by Henry IV in 1598, the Nantes Edict gave the Protestants fairly broad powers, which significantly influenced the form of the state territorial structure of France, since now the Protestants could own fortresses and actually formed a state in the state, having acquired military force.
Thirty Years War
In 1618, France entered the so-called Thirty Years War, which was caused by the intentions of some European states to establish their own hegemony on the territory of the Holy Roman Empire of the German nation.
The result of this long and bloody war was the creation of the Westphalian system of international relations, which is based on the principle of respect for national sovereignty and the priority of state interests over international ones.
Of course, such a result could not but affect the form of state-territorial structure of France. At this time, a system began to take shape, in which the majority of powers were concentrated in the hands of the central government, while local elites were actively suppressed.
In 1685, Louis XIV abolished the Edict of Nantes, which led to a mass exodus of Protestants to neighboring countries. In general, the reign of Louis XIV was not the most peaceful in the history of the state: France was drawn into several major wars, each of which influenced the territorial structure of the country.
France in the 18th century
In 1715, Louis XIV dies, and Louis XV comes after him, under the rule of which there were political and financial crises, as well as the Seven Years War, the defeat of which led to a radical change in the form of the administrative-territorial structure of France. As a result of the Paris Peace Treaty, she was forced to cede many of her colonies to Britain.
It is worth noting that the largest losses of the state were India and Canada. The country's fleet was destroyed, and for many years France became a third-order power, unable to claim even European dominance.
French revolution
In 1789, the Great Revolution began in France, which had a tremendous impact not only on the socio-political system of the country, but also on the historical development of all European states.
The implementation of the revolution led to the elimination of the so-called Old Order, which existed in the country for almost three hundred years. The main result of the revolution was the abolition of the monarchy in 1792 and the introduction of elected bodies of power, as well as the trial of Louis XVI and his execution.
Devastating wars
For ten years, the political and territorial structure of France has changed many times, since, in addition to the actual revolutionary events within the state, the country was embroiled in a war with Spain and Great Britain, who were unhappy with the expansion undertaken by the new French government in the Netherlands.
After the revolution and a short period of political stability, Napoleon I Bonaparte was proclaimed emperor. This was followed by a series of military campaigns and a crushing defeat.
Colonial system of France
France immediately after Spain and Portugal joined the race of the Great geographical discoveries, thus becoming one of the first countries to acquire overseas territories.
In 1535, the French navigator Jacques Cartier entered the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, which marked the beginning of the history of the French colony of New France, which for a long time occupied a significant part of the continent of North America.
Researchers agree that initially France had significant advantages over Great Britain, which began its overseas expansion seventy years later than France. In addition, France had technological advantages over Spain and Portugal, but its leadership was hindered by domestic political instability and continental wars, as well as the eighteenth century revolution.
France initially focused on exploring the northern territories of the New World, but later it began exploring South America and exploring the islands of the West Indies.
Mastering North America
Despite the fact that in the XVIII century France lost a significant part of its colonies as a result of a military clash with Great Britain, it did not lose its influence on the North American continent, but even expanded its colonial possessions inland.
Earl Frontenac made a huge contribution to the development of the French colonies in North America, with the financial and political support of which explorer La Salle sailed the Mississippi and declared the river valley a French colony. The appearance of overseas territories significantly influenced the features of the territorial structure of France, since new institutions and new laws were required to manage the new lands.
Despite the fact that after the Seven Years' War, Canada withdrew to England, the central part of the mainland remained with France until its sale to the United States.
Louisiana purchase
in 1800, a secret agreement was concluded between Spain and France to transfer Louisiana to the control of the French Republic, which greatly puzzled the United States government.
Immediately after information about a secret agreement between the two colonial powers, the United States began negotiations with France on the sale of New Orleans, but received an unexpected offer - on the sale of the entire Louisiana colony. The French proposal was probably connected with the internal problems of the metropolis, which not only did not allow Paris to effectively manage the colonies, but also threatened the French state itself.
As a result of this sale in the form of government and territorial structure, France approached its current state.
French Republic: the present
Modern France is a transcontinental democratic state with a republican form of government. The territory of the state includes the main part in Western Europe and a number of overseas departments that remained as the heritage of the colonial empire.
France is a unitary republic of the presidential type, where the head of state has the broadest powers. However, a distinctive feature of the republic is a well-developed system of local self-government, which corresponds to the territorial structure of France.
The smallest unit of territorial structure are communes, of which there are thirty-six thousand in the country. Each such unit is managed by the municipal council, which makes decisions in the interests of its residents: creates the necessary services, manages public property, organizes socially important events.
The main unit of administrative division are the departments, of which there are ninety-six in the European territory of France (and five more overseas departments).
Five overseas communities stand out: New Caledonia, the French Southern and Antarctic territories and Clipperton.
Department as a backbone unit
The department in France represents the second level of government after the commune, but it is also the most important, since it is at this level that the majority of decisions of fundamental importance for local communities are made.
The representative body at the department level is the General Council, which is formed on the basis of direct and general elections. Such elections are held in two rounds and by a majority system, which ensures maximum transparency and democracy. The powers of the General Council are limited to six years.
The development of the territorial form of the structure of France is thus subordinated to historical logic and is built in accordance with democratic procedures, sanctified by traditions.