Newsletter

Questions to Jean Tulard: From one regime to another.

Share

The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David - This scene shows the moment when Napoleon takes the imperial crown from the hands of Pius VII to place it on his wife's head the Empress Josephine.
The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David - This scene shows the moment when Napoleon takes the imperial crown from the hands of Pius VII to place it on his wife's head the Empress Josephine.

The Song of the Partisans

Share

Manuscrit original du Chant des partisans rédigé par Maurice Druon et Joseph Kessel. Source : Musée de la Légion d’honneur.
Manuscrit original du Chant des partisans rédigé par Maurice Druon et Joseph Kessel. Source : Musée de la Légion d’honneur.

1914: a demographically weakened France

Share

Image published in the Hachette Almanac in 1908. Source: Author's document.
Image published in the Hachette Almanac in 1908. Source: Author's document.

What was the demographic situation of France as it entered into war on 3rd August 1914? For several centuries, right up to the 1860s, France was the most populated country in Europe, even ahead of Russia at certain times. Then, mainly due to the effect of a low birth rate at the end of the 18th century, when France entered into war it occupied fifth position in demographic terms in Europe, behind Russia, the German Empire, Austria-Hungary and Great Britain, closely followed by Italy. In 1914, the population of France was still very rural, stagnant and ageing. The 1914 war struck a country which was struggling demographically. The enforced effort was huge, and the consequences after the war weighed heavy.

The liberation of Marseille

Share

The FFI (Forces Françaises de l'Intérieur), which played a large role in the liberation of Marseille, parade on the Quai des Belges. August 1944. Source: ECPAD
The FFI (Forces Françaises de l'Intérieur), which played a large role in the liberation of Marseille, parade on the Quai des Belges. August 1944. Source: ECPAD

French civilian victims of the Battle of Normandy

Share

Saint-Lô, 95% destroyed after the bombardments of 1944, called the Capital of Ruins. Source: Basse-Normandie Regional Council / National Archives USA
Saint-Lô, 95% destroyed after the bombardments of 1944, called the Capital of Ruins. Source: Basse-Normandie Regional Council / National Archives USA

World War II, unlike World War I, was very deadly for civilians. In France, nearly 400,000 civilians were killed between 1939 and 1945.

Liberation of Grenoble

Share

Operation “1000 Trees for Cemeteries”

Share

Vignemont National Cemetery (Oise department) - Source : MINDEF/SGA/DMPA-ONACVG

Chantiers de la jeunesse

Share

Maréchal Pétain inspecting a group of Chantiers de Jeunesse leaders. Source: Private collection.
Maréchal Pétain inspecting a group of Chantiers de Jeunesse leaders. Source: Private collection.

China in the First World War

Share

Near Blangy, Pas-de-Calais, arrival of Chinese workers. May 1918. Source: Photographer: Albert Moreau. ECPAD
Near Blangy, Pas-de-Calais, arrival of Chinese workers. May 1918. Source: Photographer: Albert Moreau. ECPAD

The 1st Free French Division (DFL)

Share

Parade of FFI (Forces Françaises de l’Intérieur) troops in liberated Dijon. From 23 September 1944, many FFI joined the 1st French Army. Source: SCA – ECPAD
Parade of FFI (Forces Françaises de l’Intérieur) troops in liberated Dijon. From 23 September 1944, many FFI joined the 1st French Army. Source: SCA – ECPAD

The 1st DFL (Free French Division) was officially created in June 1942, but some of the units making it up had already been fighting since the start of the war, and all were made up of men who fought constantly since 1939. They were motivated by the famous words of General de Gaulle's appeal of 18 June.

Subscribe to French