Part 13/15:
During this period, France faced colonial expansion, notably in Africa and Indochina, but also internal social upheaval. The Dreyfus Affair exposed deep antisemitism, and the nation grappled with political divisions.
The 20th Century: Wars, Rebuilding, and Transformation
World War I (1914–1918) devastated France, which suffered enormous casualties and economic hardship. The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 imposed harsh penalties on Germany, sowing seeds for future conflict. Interwar years saw political instability, the Great Depression, and social unrest.