Lessons 7 · 1 lessons · M. Lafasov, U. Jo‘rayev, E. Xoliqov, D. Qodirova. Jahon tarixi (World history), Grade 9, revised 3rd edition. “O‘qituvchi” Publishing House, Tashkent, 2014
7
France’s foreign policy
Textbook: pp. 26–28
GoalDescribe how France’s colonial empire grew and how the Triple Alliance and the Entente came into being.
New words
protectorate: a state or territory that keeps a local ruler but is controlled by a stronger power · protektoratTriple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy (1882) · Uchlar ittifoqithe Entente: the agreement of Britain, France and Russia (formed 1904–1907) · Antantaalliance · ittifoq
Explanation
After the war with Prussia France lost its leading position in Europe and lived in fear of Germany; the 1879 alliance of Germany and Austria-Hungary made things worse. France turned to colonies: in 1881 it took Tunisia, then extended control in Africa over Guinea, Senegal, Madagascar and Mauritania, and in 1912 set up a protectorate over Morocco. In Asia it took control of Vietnam in 1884 and set up a protectorate in Laos around 1893; in this way France built the second-largest colonial empire after Britain’s. The Tunisia question pushed Italy away from France and led to the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy) in 1882. France responded by drawing close to Russia (alliance agreements of 1891–1894) and in 1904 signed a colonial agreement with Britain: Egypt was recognised as in Britain’s sphere and Morocco as in France’s. When Russia reached an agreement with Britain in 1907, the Entente (France, Britain, Russia) took shape and Europe split into two military-political blocs.
Worked examples
Table of alliances. Triple Alliance: Germany + Austria-Hungary (1879) + Italy (1882). Entente: France + Russia (1891–94) + Britain (1904) + Russo-British agreement (1907).
The 1904 agreement was an exchange: France accepted Britain’s position in Egypt, and Britain accepted France’s interests in Morocco.
Class activity
“Bloc map”: on a map of Europe colour the Triple Alliance states in one colour and the Entente states in another.
Practice
1
In which years did France take control of Tunisia and Morocco?
Tunisia in 1881; a protectorate over Morocco in 1912.
2
Which states formed the Triple Alliance and when?
Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy; in 1882 (the Germany–Austria-Hungary alliance dates from 1879).
3
Which territories did France take in Asia?
Vietnam (1884) and Laos (a protectorate, around 1893).
4
Why did France and Russia draw close to each other?
Both feared Germany’s rise and the Triple Alliance; Russia also rivalled Austria-Hungary in the Balkans.