French Culture

French Culture

1856

History History
Throughout the 1800s, France had many governments due to much tyranny. The country was dictated by different people about every ten years: French Revolution (1789-1792) First Republic (1792-1799) The Empire (1804-1814) Restoration (1814-1830) July Monarchy (1830-1848) Revolution (1848) Second Republic (1848-1852) Second Empire (1852-1870) More governments later continued after the second Empire.

The Second Empire

During this time period (1852-1870), France was ruled by Napoleon III. Napoleon brought it upon himself to bring great industrialization, Urbanization, and economic growth. However his foreign policies were not nearly as good. After the Crimean War, Napoleon decided to help make Italy a free country therefore leading to France and Austria signing the Peace of Villafranca Treaty in 1859. France received most of Italy from Austria. Napoleon later went on to try to conquer Mexico but was stopped in his tracks when the United States intervened. A conflict with Prussia soon lead to the France- Prussia War of 1870. Throughout all of this, Napoleon tried to domesticate the people of Algiers but ultimately was unsuccessful. On September 4, 1870, France was left unprotected without any troops and the republican deputies of Paris constituted a provisional government. The emperor was imprisoned in Germany and the Third Republic began. In the end, Napoleon managed to conquer French Indochina (modern day Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos) and Africa.

Geography and such

During the 19th century, Napoleon Bonaparte extended Frances territorial limits through many military conquests. However, most of these were reversed once the Vienna Congress took over. Between 1795 and 1866, France was the second most populated country of Europe, behind Russia, and the fourth most populated country in the world. By 1850 it had 36 million people.

Language
In 1792, 50% of the French population did not actually speak or Understand French. The northern half spoke regional dialects While the southern half spoke Occitan languages. It was not Until the 19th century when France became unified with one language.

Eating and such

Food and cooking is considered an art in French culture. Most courses are based off regional traditions. A day consists of a light continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner which is eaten around 9:00. Eating etiquette is a must during a French meal. Both hands must remain above the table and speaking with food in the mouth is not permitted. One finished with the meal, all utensils should be placed parallel on top of the plate. A typical dinner or lunch may consist of eight to twelve courses.

The Magicians Wife

In 1830 France invaded Algeria, and in 1848 this north African country was fully integrated into France. In 1856, Napoleon sent the magician Houdini to Algeria to impress the natives with his powers in order to prevent a rebellion against the French governments domestication plan.

Compiegne
From 1856 on, Napoleon III and his wife made Compeigne their autumn residence and began their famous 'Series'. For about a month and a half (usually from the end of October to the beginning of December), hundreds of guests (ferried to Compiegne on special trains from Gare du Nord) were received every week by the royal couple. The political, artistic and scientific elite of the Second Empire all passed through the doors of Compiegne, where they were treated to entertainment's of various types.

It was in this room that the amateur theatre pieces were performed during the Second Empire "Series".

Known in 1855 as the Salon des Aides de Camp. This room's function was for after dinner entertainment for those invited to the "Series". It was also in this room that visitors were presented for the first time to the sovereigns. On the walls, a Map of the hunts from the Compiegne forest hang.

During the "Series", this gallery was used as a dining room.

Works Cited
"Algeria." History. 1 Apr. 2006. 28 May 2007 <http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/ for/algeria.html>. "Chateau de Compiegne." Fortune City. 28 May 2007 <http://www.fortunecity.com/ victorian/dadd/1258/Frenchroyalp/Compiegne/main.html >. "France in the Ninteenth Century." Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. 19 Apr. 2007. 28 May 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ France_in_the_nineteenth_century>. Strauss, Johann, Jr.Emperor Waltz. Susan, Gall. Paris, France. Photograph. All Posters.com. 28 May 2007 <http://www.allposters.com>.