Posted: January 26th, 2023

French foreign policy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

French foreign policy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
French foreign policy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was characterized by a desire for expansion, both in terms of territorial acquisitions and economic influence. One of the major goals of French foreign policy at this time was to establish a colonial empire, which would provide France with resources and strategic advantages.
The most notable examples of French expansion during this period was the conquest of Indochina, which began in the 1880s and lasted until the 1950s. French forces were able to gain control of present-day Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, and established a colonial administration in these territories. The French were motivated by a desire to control the region’s resources, particularly rubber and rice, and to establish a foothold in Southeast Asia as a counterbalance to British and Dutch colonial interests.
Another major example of French expansion during this period was the establishment of protectorates in North Africa. In 1881, France established a protectorate over Tunisia, which was followed by the conquest of Algeria in 1847. These territories provided France with valuable resources, such as phosphates, and served as a strategic buffer against potential threats from other European powers.
In addition to territorial expansion, French foreign policy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries also focused on economic expansion. France sought to protect its economic interests through a variety of means, including tariffs, trade agreements, and investment in foreign countries. For example, France invested heavily in the construction of the Suez Canal in Egypt, which was completed in 1869 and gave France control over a crucial trade route.
France also sought to protect its economic interests through alliances with other countries. The most notable example of this was the Dual Alliance between France and Russia, which was signed in 1894. This alliance was designed to counter the growing power of Germany, which was seen as a potential threat to French economic and territorial interests.
Despite these efforts, French foreign policy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries ultimately proved to be unsuccessful in achieving its goals. The French colonial empire in Indochina was weakened by constant rebellion and resistance from local populations, and was eventually defeated by the Vietnamese in 1954. The French protectorate in North Africa was also challenged by the rise of nationalism movements, and was eventually dissolved in the mid-20th century.
Furthermore, French foreign policy was also challenged by the outbreak of World War I in 1914, which resulted in the loss of many of France’s territorial and economic interests. The war also resulted in significant damage to the French economy and led to the decline of France’s international prestige.
French foreign policy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was characterized by a desire for expansion and the protection of economic interests. However, these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful and were challenged by resistance from local populations, the rise of nationalism movements, and the outbreak of World War I.
Works Cited:
“Colonialism and Imperialism, 1870-1914,” in The Oxford Handbook of Modern Diplomacy, edited by Andrew F. Cooper, Jorge Heine, and R. B. J. Walker (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013).
“France’s Foreign Policy,” in A History of Modern France, edited by J. M. Roberts (New York: Viking Press, 1978).
“The Dual Alliance,” in The Cambridge History of Diplomatic Literature, edited by Andrew F. Cooper and Jorge Heine (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014).

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