Editing History of France (section)

== 1815–1914 ==
{{Main|France in the long nineteenth century|History of French foreign relations}}
[[File:Prise de l'Hôtel de ville - le Pont d'Arcole.JPG|thumb|The taking of the [[Hôtel de Ville, Paris|Hôtel de Ville]] – the seat of Paris's government – during the [[July Revolution]] of 1830]]

[[File:Tour Eiffel, July 1888.jpg|thumb|The [[Eiffel Tower]] under construction in July 1888]]

The century after the fall of Napoleon I was politically unstable:
{{Blockquote|Every [French] head of state from 1814 to 1873 spent part of his life in exile. Every regime was the target of assassination attempts of a frequency that put Spanish and Russian politics in the shade. Even in peaceful times governments changed every few months. In less peaceful times, political deaths, imprisonments and deportations are literally incalculable.{{Sfnp|Tombs|2014|p=15}}}}

The period from 1789 to 1914, dubbed the "[[Long nineteenth century]]" by the historian [[Eric Hobsbawm]], extends from the French Revolution's aftermath to the brink of World War I. Throughout this period, France underwent significant transformations that reshaped its geography, demographics, language, and economic landscape, marking a period of profound change and development. The French Revolution and Napoleonic eras fundamentally altered French society, promoting centralization, administrative uniformity across departments, and a standardized legal code. Education also centralized, emphasizing technical training and meritocracy, despite growing conservatism among the aristocracy and the church. Wealth concentration saw the richest 10 percent owning most of the nation's wealth. The 19th century saw France expanding to nearly its modern territorial limits through annexations and overseas imperialism, notably in Algeria, [[Indochina]], and Africa. Despite territorial gains, France faced challenges, including a slow population growth, compared to its European neighbors, and a late industrialization that saw a shift from rural to urban living and the rise of an industrial workforce.

The period was also marked by significant linguistic and educational reforms, which sought to unify the country through language and secular education, contributing to a stronger national identity. Economically, France struggled to match the industrial growth rates of other advanced nations, maintaining a more traditional economy longer than its counterparts. Politically, the century was characterized by the end of the [[ancien régime]], the rise and fall of the [[First French Empire|First]] and [[Second French Empire|Second Empires]], the tumultuous establishment of the [[French Third Republic|Third Republic]], and the radical experiment of the [[Paris Commune]], reflecting the ongoing struggle between revolutionary ideals and conservative restoration.

Significant social and political reforms marked [[Napoleon III]]'s era, introducing measures like public assistance and regulations to improve working and living conditions for the lower classes. The Second Empire (1852–1870) sought modernization through infrastructure projects like the railway system, yet Napoleon III's foreign policy ventures often ended in failure, notably the catastrophic [[Franco-Prussian War]] which led to his capture and deposition. The Third Republic embarked on modernizing France, with educational reforms and attempts to create a unified national identity. Foreign policy focused on isolation of Germany and forming alliances, leading to the [[Triple Entente]]. Domestically, issues like the [[Dreyfus affair]] highlighted the nation's divisions, while laws aimed at reducing the Catholic Church's influence sparked further controversy.

Cultural and artistic movements, from [[Romanticism]] to [[Modernism]], mirrored these societal changes, contributing to France's rich cultural legacy. The [[Belle Époque]] emerged as a period of cultural flourishing and peace, overshadowed by the growing threats of war and internal discord. The long 19th century set the foundations for modern France, navigating through revolutions, wars, and social upheavals to emerge as a unified nation-state near the front of the global stage, by the early 20th century.