Lessons 13–14 · 2 lessons · Sh. Ergashev, B. Xodjayev, J. Abdullayev. World History (1991–2017): textbook for Grade 11 of secondary schools and for students of secondary specialised and vocational institutions. 1st edition. “Turon-Iqbol”, Tashkent, 2018
13
France, 1991–2017
Textbook: pp. 60–63
GoalDescribe France’s political and social development from the 1990s to the present and its role in European integration.
New words
the Fifth Republic, France’s political system since 1958 · Beshinchi respublikalaïcité, the French principle of separating state and religion · dunyoviylik (laïcité)cohabitation, when the president and the government come from rival camps · kohabitatsiyathe “yellow vests”, a protest movement of 2018–2019 · «sariq nimchalar»
Explanation
France has lived in the Fifth Republic since 1958: there is a strong president and a head of government, the prime minister. François Mitterrand (1981–1995) supported the Maastricht Treaty, which was approved in the 1992 referendum by a very narrow margin (51 per cent). Under Jacques Chirac (1995–2007) the country adopted the euro in 2002, and in 2003 it refused to take part in the Iraq war. The next presidents were Nicolas Sarkozy (2007–2012), François Hollande (2012–2017) and Emmanuel Macron (from 2017, re-elected in 2022). The terrorist threat had a strong effect: the attack on the editorial office of Charlie Hebdo in January 2015 and the attacks in Paris on 13 November (130 people died), the latter claimed by the “Islamic State” group. The “yellow vest” demonstrations of 2018–2019 began as a protest against fuel taxes and the cost of living, and the 2023 reform raising the retirement age from 62 to 64 caused mass protest; after the early election of 2024 no clear majority formed in parliament.
President
Years
François Mitterrand
1981–1995
Jacques Chirac
1995–2007
Nicolas Sarkozy
2007–2012
François Hollande
2012–2017
Emmanuel Macron
2017–
Worked examples
The Eurotunnel: the railway tunnel under the English Channel linking France and the United Kingdom opened on 6 May 1994 and became an important link in Europe’s transport network.
On 29 May 2005 the French rejected the draft EU Constitution in a referendum (about 55 per cent against). The result showed doubt in society about the pace and content of integration.
Class activity
Complete a three-column table on France, “security, economy, society”: in each column write one important event since 1990 and its consequence.
Practice
1
When was the Fifth Republic established and what is distinctive about it?
In 1958; it has a president and a prime minister, and the president’s powers are strong.
2
When did France adopt the euro?
The euro was introduced as cash on 1 January 2002.
3
What was the “yellow vests” movement and what did it protest against?
The demonstrations of 2018–2019; they began as a protest against fuel taxes and the rising cost of living.
4
Why was the 2005 referendum an important signal for European integration?
The people of one of the founding countries rejected the draft; this showed European leaders that they needed to win public trust.
