00:00How did France's territory change over time?
00:02France began as West Francia in 843.
00:06Over the centuries, France slowly expanded westward.
00:09It began colonizing America, but went to war with Britain and lost most of its colonies in 1763.
00:15After the French Revolution, Napoleon rose to power in 1789.
00:19Through a series of wars, he expanded France to its greatest extent and dominated much of Europe.
00:24However, after his failed invasion of Russia, France was defeated and returned to its old borders.
00:30During the 19th century, France expanded its African colonies, gained Savoy, but lost Alsace-Lorraine to Germany.
00:37Then World War I arrived, France won and regained Alsace-Lorraine.
00:42In World War II, northern France was occupied by Germany, while the south became a puppet state.
00:47After Germany's defeat, France was restored.
00:50Following the war, France decolonized much of Africa.
00:53While many countries gained independence, France retained influence and kept some overseas territories, forming the France we know today.
