For two hours it won't kill you to love the French.
Jan 12th, 2005, 11:30 AM
#1
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For two hours it won't kill you to love the French.
So reads the back cover of the latest New Yorker to announce the History Channel on Jan 17th at 9pm/8c "The French Revolution" from terror to triumph.
Jan 12th, 2005, 12:00 PM
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I really don't - and I even happen to agree with it right now. What bugs me is that Gallicentric obstinacy and condescension that colors everything they do. They once ruled the world, it is true - but they can't seem to come around to acknowledging that it's been 200 years since 1805.
Jan 17th, 2005, 02:12 AM
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"...obstinacy and condescension that colors everything they do..."
This has been said about the governing elite of every country that has been, would like to have been, or at the time of speaking, thinks that it is top dog.
Who knows, it might not be long before we find Chinese people saying it about people in Washington...
This has been said about the governing elite of every country that has been, would like to have been, or at the time of speaking, thinks that it is top dog.
Who knows, it might not be long before we find Chinese people saying it about people in Washington...
Jan 17th, 2005, 06:48 AM
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In addition to Napoleon's empire, France also ruled much of Europe with the Carolinigian Empire. Charlemagne, King of the Franks from 768-814 (and crowned Emperor of the West in 800) ruled all of France, a large part of Germany, the "netherlands", and parts of Spain and Italy. Most of the area eventually split into France and Germany.
Sorry, I don't think that I will watch the show or love the French for even 2 hours. I doubt that my blood pressure can take it.
Sorry, I don't think that I will watch the show or love the French for even 2 hours. I doubt that my blood pressure can take it.
Jan 17th, 2005, 07:08 AM
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Jed: Oh that doesn't count, apart from the Napoleonic era (which was only a blip really), it was FAR too long ago!
You've only a few years experience of being annoyed by the French - we've got centuries of mistrust, war and sniping to b**ch about! After all, it was the French that helped you kick us out of the US...!
(I'm afraid one of the things about most European countries is how much we all dislike each other..)
You've only a few years experience of being annoyed by the French - we've got centuries of mistrust, war and sniping to b**ch about! After all, it was the French that helped you kick us out of the US...!
(I'm afraid one of the things about most European countries is how much we all dislike each other..)
Jan 17th, 2005, 08:08 AM
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The French are actually thought that they were the biggest superpower in the 19th century at school (or so I was told by a French colleague) they seem to have totally missed the fact that the British Empire existed at all. When I mentioned this he just looked blankly at me. I have a feeling he was just winding me up, or quiet possibly pointing out my own innate small mindedness and arrogance.
Jan 17th, 2005, 08:25 AM
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One could say that the sun also never set on the French Empire: North America, South America, Africa, Far East...their colonies were widespread. A lot of "what ifs" too, for example what if the French had not supported the Amecican Revolution, sent over soldiers like Lafayette,etc...it is often mentioned that France's support of the American Revolution depleted the French Treasury that it became one of the contributing factors to the French Reovlution...if Louis could do it over again... as the French not ackwoledging the British Empire, isn't this part of whole France-England rivalry (les roast-beefs...the frogs) 
(PS Robespierre...I believe a lot of historians think that in the end France didn't have much use for Max either!)
(PS Robespierre...I believe a lot of historians think that in the end France didn't have much use for Max either!)
