Franco-British Union facts for kids
A Franco-British Union is an idea for joining the two independent countries of the United Kingdom and France. This kind of union was suggested during big problems in the 20th century. There are also some older examples from history.
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Past Unions Between Countries
The countries of France and England have been closely linked for a long time. This started with the Norman Conquest in 1066. A French duke named William the Conqueror became King of England. But he still had ties to the French king.
This connection was often difficult. From 1066 to 1214, the King of England owned large areas in northern France. These included Normandy, Maine, Anjou, and Brittany. After 1154, the English King also ruled Aquitaine in southern France. This meant the King of England controlled more than half of France. However, he was still officially a vassal to the King of France.
Many English kings were born in France. They spoke French as their first language. For hundreds of years, English royalty and nobles learned French. English law was also influenced by French law. Many French words came into the English language.
This unusual situation changed after the Battle of Bouvines in 1214. King Philip II of France took back the northern French lands from King John of England. Later, from 1216 to 1217, the French prince Louis (who became Louis VIII) was even offered the English throne. He was named king in London and controlled much of England. But his support faded, and he had to give up his claim. England kept a smaller area in France called Guienne.
From 1340, the King of England also used the title "King of France." This happened during the Hundred Years War. But it was mostly just a title, not a real claim to rule France.
Things changed again when King Henry V of England invaded France in 1415. By 1420, England controlled northern France, including Paris. The French King Charles VI of France was forced to name Henry V as his heir. But Henry V died before Charles VI. So, Henry V's son, Henry VI, was named King of England and France in 1422. However, the French prince, Dauphin Charles, still claimed the French crown.
In 1429, the French, led by Joan of Arc, fought back. They crowned Charles VII as the true King of France. Fighting continued for over 20 years. By 1453, the English were pushed out of almost all of France. They only kept the town of Calais, which they lost in 1558. English kings kept using the title "King of France" until 1801. But it was just a tradition, with no real power.
Scotland and France: The Auld Alliance
French culture also came to Scotland a long time ago. King David I brought French-style changes to Scotland. He also invited French people to live there. This created a Scottish noble class with French ties.
Later, Scotland and France became good friends. They both saw England as an enemy. This friendship was called the Auld Alliance. It lasted from 1295 to 1560. Scotland and France also had strong trade links during this time.
There was a chance for their royal families to unite in the 15th and 16th centuries. James I of Scotland's daughter, Margaret, married the French prince who became Louis XI of France. Later, James V of Scotland married two French princesses. His daughter, Mary I, became Queen of Scotland when she was a baby. Her French mother, Mary of Guise, ruled Scotland for many years. Mary was then married to the French prince who became Francis II of France. They were King and Queen of both France and Scotland from 1559 to 1560.
When Francis died, Mary returned to Scotland. But Scotland was facing big political and religious changes. This made it impossible for the alliance to continue as before.
Friendly trade and cultural ties still existed. But Scotland became more Protestant, which didn't always fit with France's Catholic policies. The union of the Scottish and English crowns in 1603 also weakened the alliance. From then on, Scotland's foreign policy was more aligned with England.
Modern Ideas for Union
The Entente Cordiale (1904)
In April 1904, the United Kingdom and France signed agreements called the Entente Cordiale. This marked the end of many years of fighting between the two countries. It started a time of peace and friendship. Even though a historian once called England and France a single unit, leaders from both sides didn't want a full merger.
World War II: A Proposal in 1940
In June 1940, France was losing badly to Nazi Germany in World War II. The French Prime Minister, Paul Reynaud, wanted to keep fighting from North Africa. But many in his government wanted to ask Germany for a ceasefire.
The British government did not want France to surrender. They especially worried about the French Navy falling into German hands. So, they looked for ways to help Reynaud. On June 14, British and French officials quickly wrote a plan for a "Franco-British Union." They hoped this would convince Reynaud's government to keep fighting.
On June 16, the British War Cabinet agreed to the idea. The "Declaration of Union" said:
France and Great Britain shall no longer be two nations, but one Franco-British Union. The constitution of the Union will provide for joint organs of defence, foreign, financial and economic policies. Every citizen of France will enjoy immediately citizenship of Great Britain, every British subject will become a citizen of France.
This meant both countries would become one. They would share defense, foreign policy, money, and economy. Citizens of one country would automatically become citizens of the other.
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and French General Charles de Gaulle called Reynaud. They told him about the plan. Reynaud was very excited. He saw it as the only way to avoid surrendering.
However, other French leaders were not happy. Many thought it was a British trick to take their colonies. Some even said becoming a "Nazi province" was better than being a "British dominion." Philippe Pétain, a leader who wanted to surrender, called the union "fusion with a corpse."
Because of this strong opposition, Reynaud resigned that evening. He did not even hold a vote on the union. He later called the failure of the union the "greatest disappointment" of his career.
Pétain formed a new government. This new government immediately asked Germany for a ceasefire. The plans for the union were dropped.
Suez Crisis: Another Idea in 1956
In September 1956, during the Suez Crisis, France and the UK faced a common problem. The French Prime Minister, Guy Mollet, suggested a union between the United Kingdom and France. He even proposed that Elizabeth II be the head of state for both. As another idea, Mollet suggested France join the Commonwealth of Nations.
However, British Prime Minister Anthony Eden said no to both ideas. France then decided to join the Treaty of Rome. This treaty created the European Economic Community, which strengthened cooperation between France and Germany.
When Mollet's proposal became public in 2007, it was often joked about. The BBC even gave it the nickname Frangleterre, combining "France" and "Angleterre" (the French word for England). A French politician, Charles Pasqua, said that if Mollet's request had been official, he could have been charged with treason.
In Fiction
In some stories, like the Lord Darcy series, England and France are united. This happens because Richard I of England lives much longer and brings the two countries together. By the 20th century in these stories, people on both sides of the Channel speak a language called "Anglo-French." They see themselves as one people.
See also
- France–United Kingdom relations
- English claims to the French throne
- Gallic Empire
- Carausian Revolt
