"The French were a major power in Europe for a very long time, thanks to the size of the country and wealth generated from its excellent agriculture. It wasn't until the mid 1800s when it's power severely declined, as Prussia and Great Britain exponentially grew and reduced France to a second-rate power because of Industrialization. Of course, the French still liked to think they were a big power, entitled their leader with "Emperor," and then they got their noses where it didn't belong and an Emperor who could back up his title owned them in a single battle."
They were a big powr indeed, and lead many campaigns succesfully. Only our perseption of war is different today. They battled to gain something, wich they did by negociating afterwards. Therefore, the whole "france never won a war"-issue is completely rubbish. I'd like to add that france's power has been declining in the 18th century rather than after 1800. After Louis XIV, they had several rubbish kings wich ended in an economic depression, wich eventually led to the French Revolution (wich was a period in wich the French did show their superior military strength, wich lay in the will to fight and conquer.). I wouldn't go as far to call them a "2nd -rate power", although you are correct that they missed the start of industrialisation.
"1. We have France to thank for saving the west (yes, all of western civilization) from assimilation from evil Muslim hordes, and keeping them limited to most of Spain. If it wasn't for France, we might all be Muslim today."
Apart from this line looking rather racist, I don't think they "saved" us. Christianity probably got saved because of the battle of Poitiers. The Spanish were rather well off under muslim government, in fact, they were off far better intelectually, medically and economically than their christian counterparts. Also, speaking of "the french" is an anachronism, it didn't exist at that time, nor did a single soul have the idea of "France"
"2. Only until recently was the area consisting of the Kingdom of France anything resembling "French." The French were limited to the area near Paris and central France, while the rest of France consisted of vassal states of very different languages and ethnic backgrounds such as Burgundy, Brittany, and Normandy. During the French Revolution, in fact, many of the different ethnicities in France revolted partly for reasons dealing with the terror, and also for Nationalism. One city in the south of France even opened its ports to Great Britain, that was until artillery sergeant Napoleon came up with a grand idea of how to force the English fleet to retreat and then take the city."
France has been largely constructed in the 14th century, after the 100 years war. Although, it's true that regionalism did pop up later on when things weren't going too well (like in any other nation). In fact, it was more unified than most of the other European countries at that time.
And I agree with visser!
God: Behold ye angels, I have created the ass.. Throughout the ages to come men and women shall grab hold of these and shout my name...
