Originally posted by Oguzoglu
I cant agree on Prussia and France. How can
you define all of France, Roman Empire and Islamic Empire in
one category? France had nothing to affect history that much except
their colonies and their cultural expansion over these colonies. The
main colonial power was England, Britain... |
France has made a lot that affected history. Even though it's not
necessary linked to its power. Even England, that you call the first
colonial power (it was more Britain than England though), has an heavy
French influence.
In fact according to askoxford, ask the experts. There are more French
words in modern English than old English words. (www.askoxford.com).
http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutenglish/pr oportion?view=uk
The gothic architecture was the French art (Opus Francigenum) before
being renamed. The biggest English cathedrals were built by French
architects, Remigius of Caen built the Lincoln Cathedral, William of
Sens built the Canterbury cathedral and many others.
Louis XIV built the Palace of Versailles that caused a huge French
wanabee trend in all Europe. Versailles drained 25% of the state income
and many countries tried to build one withoput reaching the same size
or opulence (the closest is in Saint Petersbourg).
France has 4 buildings that were world tallest structure. The
cathedrals of Strasbourg (143m), Beauvais (153m), Rouen (153m) and the
Eiffel Tower (300m).
The Metric system is the Systeme International d'unit. Created by the French too.
The very first digital calculator was made by Blaise Pascal who almost
created the first programming language (the modern Turbo Pascal is even
named after him).
Not to mention the Civil Code, or Napoleonic Code, used by almost all
countries of Europe exepted a few (UK, Ireland, the Scandinavians and
Russia).
About military power, France was the world 3rd most populated country
for ages. It lost a lot of people through wars and plagues. And in
internal wars, though just look at the performances of all French
substates alone. Normandy, Burgundy, Aquitaine, Toulouse. If you're
muslim you must know of Raymond de Saint Gilles, count of Toulouse, who
took over Antioch, Tripoli and Jerusalem and of the slaughter of Al
Aksa.
Edited by Exarchus