Among the numerous changes in society and philosophy of life, the most notable events in France during this period include the two World Wars, the student revolts of 1968 and the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty.

France suffered losses of money and troops during World War I as it was fought on the French territory for the most part. Around 1.4 million French people died. Under the Treaty of Versailles, Lorraine and Alsace were returned to France. In the 1920s, the country developed complex systems of border defenses and alliances. This was done with the aim to resist the German strength. The disastrous losses of the war led many French to choose peacekeeping policies, even though Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles. Certain groups in France, however, supported Hitler.

France and Great Britain declared war after Hitler invaded Poland in 1939. Both countries sent troops to the Western Front, but neither side made a move over the next eight months. This came to be referred to as the Phony War. The Germans launched the Lightning War (Blitzkrieg) in May 1940. Within six weeks, the French had lost 130,000 soldiers, and they surrendered on June 24, 1940. Germany occupied over half of French territory and expropriated half of the public sector revenue. Eventually, the Allied Forces freed France after four years of strife. Charles de Gaulle established a new government in Paris in 1944 and remained in power until 1969, narrowly defeating Francois Mitterrand in the 1959 elections.

It’s worth mentioning, that in the 1960s, French society became tired of the president’s conservative policies. This resulted in the student revolts of 1968. The rebels demanded labour, educational and state reforms, artistic and sexual freedoms and the end of the war in Vietnam. Mass strikes broke out soon thereafter. De Gaulle resigned the following year.

French leaders have believed that the future of the country is closely connected to that of the European Union. During his term in office, President Mitterrand focused on the importance of European integration and promoted ratification of the Maastricht Treaty, which led to the creation of the European Union. The treaty was narrowly approved after a referendum was held in France in 1992.