GOING GLOBAL: FRANCE
CAS 271 Midterm Group Project
FEBRUARY 28, 2015
DYLAN MORRIS, CODY MANN, CLARISSE LUMINET, RYAN MULLEN
Going Global: France
Overview of the History of France
This paper seeks to examine France and its culture. In specificity, it should contain a brief overview of
French history, then delve deeper into French customs and culture. It will compare and contrast how
this culture may be similar to others as well as describing how it is different. Finally, it should conclude
with meaningful insight as to what one might want to know if they were going to interact with a native
from this country or if the said individual would visit France.
France, like many other countries, has a rich and varied history. We will start our story at the beginning
of the 19th century. At this time, we had just seen the French revolution. The takeaway from this event
was that we saw the country transition from a monarchy into a Republic, in the interim, up until
Napoleon Bonaparte declared what we know as France today, the French Empire. (France History) While
the first Republic did not last long, importantly enough, we believe this and the following Republics post
Napoleon defeat, would surely leave a taste of individual empowerment amongst the people of France.
Much like we saw in the American Revolution, the needs and wants of the people transformed the
desire to have more freedom, liberties, and a voice in how their country is governed. In contrast, the
global village, or flat internet driven world we live in, is generally accepted that we as Americans have
more freedom than ever. However, it seems that the constant interconnectedness through social media
and other platforms causes a majority of the general population driven towards the same trends. These
trends can be anything, ideas, clothing style, religion or lack-there-of, hobbies, activities, etcetera
(Trends).
Fast forward to the First World War, we saw France fighting as one of the Triple Entente. France was
ultimately conquered in World War II by Nazi Germany. This worsened living conditions, as manpower
and food were largely driven towards the Nazi regime. Following the fall of Nazi Germany, we saw
France once again erect a Republic, only to be torn down once more. Ultimately, we see the fifth and
final Republic erected by Charles de Gaulle.
Language
French, widely regarded as the language of love is truly that as it belongs to the romance family of
language. Superseded by Italic and then even further as an Indo-European language. French is only
outbid by English as the most widespread language across the globe. The French language boasts an
incredible 75 million native speakers, but on a broader scale there is an estimated 338 million people
who can speak the language altogether. There are over 20 recognized dialects of the French language.
Popular Religions of France
France is a secular state since the law of separation of Church and State in 1905. The majority religion is
Catholicism, however the overall rate of religious practice is relatively low. The French Republic has, for
over a century, a strong tradition of secularism.
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Going Global: France
In 2004, a law prohibiting wearing conspicuous religious symbols in public was promulgated. Some
people communicate their religious beliefs by the clothes they wear. Other religions do not mark their
members through their clothes, and so their everyday interactions may not communicate their religious
identity.
Roman Catholicism remains the majority in France; it is a marker of identity for many French face of
secularization and expansion of other religions. Closely linked to the French monarchy since the advent
of Clovis until the end of the old regime, the Church has had a significant role in the history of France,
both religiously and politically. It has greatly influenced the French culture; holidays which are thus
include, for most Catholic religious festivals, cathedrals or private schools, 90% are Catholic.
After the end of World War II, there was a sharp decline in religious practices in the churches
throughout France. In the Catholic Church, traditionalists’ currents have gained in strength and
influence. This decline in religious practice has been consistent since the 1960s.
Islam is considered the second religion in France after Christianity. Comparing to the United States,
religious communities, who colonized the American space in waves, are the source of religious
movements represent diversity in this new world perceived by many as a land of refuge.
Religion is directly related to concepts we have learned throughout this course. Culture shapes our
identity and our identities are influenced by Society. Religious identity can be an important dimension of
many people's identities, as well as a source of intercultural conflict. Religion can also be the target of
stereotype, a concept we have discussed in our blog discussion, acts of discrimination are present all
over the world, and no exception for France.
Customs
France culture has deep roots that have evolved and grown throughout the centuries. French history
shows the nation understood the importance of power and politics therefore has a strong influence in
the development of culture. The history of the relationship between these two things can be traced back
as early as 742 to as recent as the 1970s (Library of Congress, 1995).
Much of the culture that spawned from religion can be attributed to the Carolingian rule in the middle
of the eighth century. This king was both a warlord and a religious Christian leader. This role set him as a
combination of a political figure with religious influences. This is one of the earliest drive of culture on
record and much of the growth can be traced back to this time. It was a significant drive for religions
culture as there was support towards the study of religious texts. The monks’ courts were centers for
book collection. The leading cultural movement was supported by abbeys and monasteries which
produced and studied manuscripts (Library of Congress, 1995). The contribution from the monks in the
French/Italy region to manuscripts and texts were some of the most significant over the centuries.
The transition from rural monastic centers to cities and royal courts occurred during the twelfth and
thirteenth centuries. Paris was known as the artistic and commercial hub. Throughout the thirteenth
century to the sixteenth century, the “religion of royalty” belief became dominant. From the second half
of the 17th to the end of the 18th century we see the rise and fall of the Absolute Monarchy in France and
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Going Global: France
how it affected the culture. Pressing into the 17th century, Louis XIV pushed the culture driven by
creative arts, literature, and sciences to encompass more things such as academies, luxury goods,
industries, technology, engineering projects, and imperial expansion.
France has experienced a plethora of short regimes from 1789 to the present, unlike the United States,
which has been sitting on its stable democratic systems for almost a few hundred years. With the
multiple shifts from empires to monarchies to republics, France has found the most stability and
prosperity in its democracy.
France has faced the threat of military invasion multiple times throughout the years including civil
rebellions. These events can have devastating impacts on human and material loss. On the other hand,
such events can and have inspired poets, playwrights, novelists, painters and more. “[This provides]
possible proof that the great artists of the modern era are motivated more by upheaval and injustice
than by tranquil prosperity.” (Library of Congress, 1995) France has taken national hardships as part of
their culture. Museums and artifacts rise from cataclysmic events such as war and are used to inspire
culture.
In recent times, French culture can be very comparable to other nations. Many people think of French
culture and picture Paris, as it contains the center for fashion, cuisine, and arts. However, there is much
more to this large country which is not represented by the city. The history previously discussed plays a
huge role in the nation today. Catholicism is the dominant religion of France as instituted back in as
early as the 8th century. They typically celebrate Christian holidays as well as European holidays like
Victory in Europe on May 8 and Bastille Day on July 14. The people take great pride in their government
and country and there is typically a threat of ethnocentrism, especially among Americans, who feel that
French do not like tourists. The country is typically male dominated even though women have an
increasing presence in business and family roles.
Art plays a major role in French culture to this day. It can be viewed in many churches and public
buildings. They have one of the world’s largest museums which houses some of the finest art pieces –
The Louvre. Many renowned artists who have made a large impact on France have French origins
including Monet, Degas, and Pissarro.
Communication
“If you don’t have some cultural sensitivity, you are probably not going to be well received while
in France” (New York Times) The Communication style in France is very different comparing to the
United States , and some information is needed when interaction with others members from this
cultural background is required. Something to know when visiting France and meeting people is that
both verbal and nonverbal communication differ from American standards. Therefore an understanding
of communication style differences helps listeners understand how to interpret messages. One thing to
know about France is that Low-context communication is demonstrated. The emphasis is on verbally
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Going Global: France
explicit communication. Nonverbal communication differ a lot from the American one, and a direct style
is used more often. Code switching must be use in order to adjust to the culture.
If in America, smiling is synonymous with politeness. In France, people don't require a smile (always) to
be considered polite. They only smile when they feel like it, not because it is expected. In America, the
smile has become our polite mask which they use every day in every encounter.
Also, general 'moodiness' is far more socially acceptable, even in customer service roles - though this is
changing. They embrace it as part of being human. For the French, certain social niceties can even be
perceived as hypocritical, so until they understand our culture better, it would be against their values to
be 'hypocritical' by wearing a smile when they don't want to. To them, personal values and maintaining
integrity is more important than pleasing others falsely. Another factor to adjust is the formality, a sign
of respect for one another, therefore Table manners are far more proper, galanterie is far more used,
usually seen to the American Eyes as snobbery.
This was a general overview of the France and its culture. We have discussed quite a bit of French
history leading to the culture France has today. We have compared and contrasted French culture to
those around the world, primarily the United States. Our hope is that you enjoyed reading about this
culture, but also that you can take something away from this and hopefully visit this great country with
your increased knowledge of the land and the people.
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Going Global: France
Works Cited
Bonin, Hubert. "Empire, French: 1815–Present." History of World Trade Since 1450. Ed. John J.
McCusker. Vol. 1. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2006. 230-231. Gale Virtual Reference
Library. Web. 25 Feb. 2015.
Library of Congress. Creating French Culture: Treasures from the Bibliothèque Nationale De France.
Washington, D.C.?: Library of Congress, 1995.
Zimmermann, Kim Ann. "French Culture: Customs & Traditions." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 21
Jan. 2015. Web. 15 Feb. 2015.
Bonin, Hubert. "Empire, French: 1815–Present." History of World Trade Since 1450. Ed. John J.
McCusker. Vol. 1. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2006. 230-231. Gale Virtual Reference
Library. Web. 28 Feb. 2015.
Alderman, Liz. " A Quest to Make Gruff Service in France More Gracious" New York Web. 20
Aug. 2013.
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