Category Archives: French History

Sex, Gender, and World War II

Posted on June 1, 2013 by briansandberg

Marie Louise Roberts explores gender and sexuality among American soldiers serving in France during the Second World War in a new book entitled, What Soldiers Do: Sex and the American GI in World War II France. Roberts is Professor of … Continue reading →

Posted in Civilians and Refugees in War, European History, French History, Gender and Warfare, History of Violence, War, Culture, and Society, Women and Gender History | Leave a comment

French Presidential Palace Auctions Wines

Posted on June 1, 2013 by briansandberg

The Palais de l’Élysée, official residence of the Président de la République in France, auctioned off approximately 10 percent of its wine cellar this week. This is reportedly the first such sale by the Élysée, intended to raise money to … Continue reading →

Posted in European History, European Union, Food and Cuisine History, French History, Paris History | 1 Comment

First Gay Marriage Celebrated in Montpellier

Posted on May 29, 2013 by briansandberg

The first gay marriage in France has been celebrated in Montpellier. Vincent Autin and Bruno Boileau married on 29 May 2013 in this southern French city— the first gay couple to be officially wedded as the new law legalizing gay … Continue reading →

Posted in French History, Human Rights, Languedoc and Southern France, Religious History, Religious Politics, Women and Gender History | Leave a comment

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