How has the power of France declined?

Answer 1

In the Age of Imperialism, France became a world superpower in terms of military strength and economic prosperity. Its vast expanse of overseas territories brought much wealth, although for only a short period. With France's defeat in the Seven Years' War, it quickly lost its superpower status and began crumbling economically, struggling to pay war indemnities and debts, and being removed completely from the New World by the British.

During the Napoleonic Era, France made a comeback and once again became a world superpower, albeit having many enemies, under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte. The French Empire's military might far outmatched the armies of other European powers, and Napoleon was able to quickly amass wealth from conquered lands. However, with Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo at the hands of the allies, France once again was sucked out of superpower status and left a power vacuum filled by Britain.

After the incident with Napoleon, other European powers kept close tabs on the rebuilding of France. Many sanctions were placed on the French, though they were able to recover somewhat economically. Their military might never regained its previous superiority, which became apparent in the later World Wars.

In World War II, France fell to invading Nazi Germany. Under German occupation, Vichy France struggled under economic pressure, desperation, and depression. Food shortages were rampant throughout France, and these miserable conditions remained until France was liberated in the summer of 1944.

After World War II, France never regained the power it once enjoyed and was overshadowed by the United States, Britain, and Russia. However, France did regain prominence in international politics when the United Nations was established, claiming a permanent seat in the UN's Security Council. France then followed up by helping to establish the European Union.