The aim of this module is to allow students to study the place of France in the world from 1944 to the present. France emerged from the War and the Occupation divided and humiliated, which had a significant effect on its foreign relations for many years, most notably as far relations with colonies and former colonies were concerned. In this chronologically-organised module students will trace how France negotiated its way through the foreign policy thickets of the Fourth Republic (1946-1958) to a period of greater stability under de Gaulle (1958-1969) and since. This international context will allow students to examine how over time France’s social and political make-up became more like that of other Western industrialised countries, in what is known as the ‘end of French exceptionalism’.

• For any country, relations with the rest of the world are important for reasons of self-esteem, national unity, the economy and culture.
• In this module we will study the place of France in the world from 1945 to the present. France emerged from the Second World War divided and humiliated, and this had a significant effect on its foreign relations for many years, in particular on its relations with its colonies and former colonies.
• In this chronologically-organised module we will trace how France negotiated its way through the foreign relations thickets of the IVth Republic (1946-1958) to a period of greater stability, arguably with aims more grandiose than realistic, under de Gaulle (1958-1969) and after.
• This international context will perhaps help us understand how France has become more like other industrialised countries over time, in what has become known as the ‘end of French exceptionalism’