Category Archives: French History

Knife Attack on French Soldier

Posted on May 29, 2013 by briansandberg

A young man assaulted a French soldier with a knife today that may have been partially patterned on the recent attack on a British soldier in Woolwich. The soldier survived the attack and his attacker has been arrested. Witnesses alleged … Continue reading →

Posted in European History, European Union, French History, History of Violence, Paris History, Terrorism | Leave a comment

Remembering the Lafayette Escadrille

Posted on May 27, 2013 by briansandberg

Each Memorial Day, the Escadrille Lafayette (or Lafayette Squadron, but commonly referred to in English as the Lafayette Escadrille) is honored in France. The Lafayette Escadrille was formed during the First World War, as American students in France created a … Continue reading →

Posted in European History, French History, Museums and Historical Memory, War in Film, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Religious Politics and Protest in France

Posted on May 27, 2013 by briansandberg

Religious political groups have mobilized against France’s new gay marriage law, organizing a massive protest in Paris yesterday, Sunday 26 May. An estimated 150,000 protesters participated in “La Manif pour tous” (the protest for everyone). This phrase is a counterattack … Continue reading →

Posted in European History, European Union, French History, Human Rights, Religious History, Religious Politics | Leave a comment

Gender Studies Under Fire in France

Posted on May 25, 2013 by briansandberg

The academic field of gender studies is under attack in France. The debate over gay marriage has prompted many French conservative politicians and Catholics to severely criticize gender studies for undermining family relations and traditional society. Conservative political and religious … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic Freedom, Education Policy, European History, European Union, French History, Humanities Education, Political Culture, Religious Politics, Women and Gender History | Leave a comment

Teaching in English in France

Posted on May 18, 2013 by briansandberg

A newly proposed law in France would encourage English-language instruction at universities in France. NPR asks “Will teaching in English at France’s universities undermine the French language? That’s up for debate in the country now, and the arguments are heated.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Education Policy, European History, European Union, French History, Globalization, Humanities Education | Leave a comment

France Legalizes Gay Marriage

Posted on May 18, 2013 by briansandberg

France has passed a law to allow gay marriages, becoming the ninth nation in Europe to legalize gay marriage. President Hollande signed the law today, 18 May, and the first legal marriages will be held on 28 May. The French … Continue reading →

Posted in European History, European Union, French History, Human Rights, Women and Gender History | Leave a comment

The Danger of Pre-emptive Strikes

Posted on April 13, 2013 by briansandberg

With tensions already running high on the Korean peninsula, many American policy-makers and advisers are talking tough. Now historian Jeremi Suri has weighed in, arguing in an op-ed in the New York Times that “the Korean crisis has now become … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Modern Europe, Empires and Imperialism, European History, European Wars of Religion, French History, French Wars of Religion, History of Violence, Human Rights, Laws of War, Political Culture, Strategy and International Politics, War, Culture, and Society, Warfare in the Early Modern World | 1 Comment

Depardieu and French Film

Posted on April 12, 2013 by briansandberg

Gérard Depardieu has significantly shaped international experiences of French film over the past generation. His recent departure from France has triggered a series of reflections on his impact on French cinema and French identity. Film critic Richard Brody argues that … Continue reading →

Posted in European History, European Union, French History, Historical Film | Leave a comment

NIU Study Abroad Program in Southern France

Posted on April 6, 2013 by briansandberg

Southern France – History and Literature in Bordeaux Register Now to Study Abroad in Southern France in Summer 2013! Earn 6 credits in History and/or French! Register at the Study Abroad Office 417 Williston Hall Northern Illinois University Registration is … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Modern Europe, European History, European Union, French History, Graduate Work in History, Languedoc and Southern France, Northern Illinois University, Study Abroad, Undergraduate Work in History | Leave a comment

Restoration Work at the château de Versailles

Posted on March 29, 2013 by briansandberg

Louis XIV expanded the château de Versailles in the 1680s, creating a grand palace complex that became the effective administrative capital of France. Louis XIV’s royal state promoted Bourbon dynastic interests and managed the French military from Versailles during the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art History, Early Modern Europe, French History, French Revolution and Napoleon, Museums and Historical Memory, Noble Culture and History of Elites, Political Culture, Warfare in the Early Modern World | Leave a comment