The Aftermath Of War
France emerged from the war demoralized, bankrupt and bomb-wrecked. The only possible provisional government in the circumstances was de Gaulle's Free French and the Conseil National de la Resistance, which meant a coalition of Left and Right. As an opening move to deal with the shambles, coal mines, air transport and Renault cars were nationalized. But a new constitution was required and elections , in which French women voted for the first time, resulted in a large Left majority in the new Constituent Assembly - which, however, soon fell to squabbling over the form of the new constitution. De Gaulle resigned in disgust. If he was hoping for a wave of popular sympathy, he didn't get it. The constitution finally agreed on, with little enthusiasm in the country, was not much different from the discredited Third Republic. And the new Fourth Republic appropriately began its life with a series of short-lived coalitions. In the early days the foundations for welfare were laid, banks nationalized and trade union rights extended. With the exclusion of the Communists from the government in 1947, however, thanks to the Cold War and the carrot of American aid under the Marshall Plan, France found itself once more dominated by the Right. If the post-Liberation desire for political reform was quickly frustrated, the spirit that inspired it did bear fruit in other spheres. From being a rather backward and largely agricultural economy prewar, France in the 1950s achieved enormous industrial modernization and expansion , its growth rate even rivalling that of West Germany at times. In foreign policy France opted to remain in the US fold, but at the same time took the initiative in promoting closer European integration , first through the European Coal and Steel Community and then, in 1957, through the creation of the European Economic Community.
Tour France On Line (Video + Stills)David Mundstock says "My recent film “Napoleon Slept Here” takes you all around France, beginning and ending in Paris, with Notre Dame Cathedral, the Pompidou Center, Eiffel Tower, Napoleon’s Tomb, Sainte-Chapelle’s stained glass & the City of Lights at night; plus Nimes with its Roman Arena and Temple, the walled city of Carcassonne, Lourdes, the Palace of Chenonceau, a peek at the Bayeux Tapestry, and much more.
This is a free, non-commercial, streaming video on the Windows Media Player. No ads and no strings attached. I sell absolutely nothing. All you need is a high speed internet connection.
The gallery of French still pictures can be viewed with any modem.
There are over 30 of my other amateur travel videos on-line. Visit Italy, England, Antarctica, Bali, Australia, China, Russia, Florida, Mayan Pyramids, Kenya, Hawaii, Greece, American National Parks, or Turkey; see elephants, whales, penguins, or polar bears.
The planet is yours, including my Home Page giant galaxy of still pictures.
To access both the videos and stills, please ask a search engine for:
Intrepid Berkeley Explorer" AnnaaNNa says "Joverh stinks. you stink. Texas is better!" to riangage says "u r so meen i hate u!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!booooooo hoooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1" blahblah says "blah blah chill out on the hateing give sumone a hug"
Your Tip for France
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to France - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to France - visit the main France forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the France webguide section below! Thanks.
|
