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This article concerns textile industry dynamics. Using a new database covering French international trade between 1836 and 1938, it focuses on France's specialisation in various textiles. It demonstrates, for the first time, the major influence of trade policy on the French textile trade during the first globalisation. Tariffs appear to be key factors in specialisation, measured by the Lafay Index and intra-industry trade in textiles. By analysing changes in tariffs between textile raw materials and finished textiles and decorrelation between tariffs, we show that an effective trade protection approach was applied by successive French governments in order to sustain the industrial competitiveness of textile firms. Such trade policy slowed down textile de-specialisation in silk and wool fabrics until World War One. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the first part of a series article on the role of Charles de Gaulle, the leader of the Free French movement during the World War II in the crises in Syria and Lebanon during the war. According to the author, de Gaulle blames the British government for the crisis over his visit to the Levant. It is said that de Gaulle intentionally instigated crises in Syria and Lebanon after learning the plans of Great Britain and U.S. for a cross-channel invasion of France.

The period 1806-1815 in Franco-Polish relations was marked by more French influence on Polish soil than ever before or since. Nonetheless, French attitudes toward Poland and the Poles during the Napoleonic period were molded not by personal experience but rather by stereotypes established earlier by a discourse created during the Enlightenment, positing Poland as Other. Despite the resulting negative view of Poles held by most French generals and statesmen, Napoleon was not captured by this treatment of Poland for he had need of the Poles and would not allow any construct to impede his path. Napoleon's views were decided by events and the Poles—despite French apprehensions— and fulfilled Napoleon's expectations. Napoleon looked to the Poles as a means to an end: the extension of French power and the Napoleonic Empire. Napoleon's relationship with the Poles was thus based on an imperial discourse, based on the unequal status of French and Poles. French influence and power in Poland became a self-justifying argument for continuing control of Polish affairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elaborates on the crises of relations between France and the Soviet Union from 1917 through 1927. Struggle of civilization against barbarism and all free nations; Background on the foreign intervention and civil war in Russia; Desire of Soviet Union government officials to have better economic and political relations with France.

Evaluates the triple alliance negotiations between Britain and France that provided Molotov's formal introduction to the diplomatic world. How the two sides approached the negotiations; Stages of the negotiations; Conclusion.

Compares the relationship of Central Asian states with the Russian Federation and Francophone Africa with France. Resistance to independence; Consideration of Central Asia and Francophone as artificial creations; Factors impending the nation building of Central Asia; Effect of world trade on Francophone efforts to establish regional structures.

Examines how the dynamics of the relationship between France and the Armenians in Syria during the French Mandate led to its failure. Partnership between French and Armenians following the First World War; Persecution and mass deportation of Armenians from Turkey; Emigration of Armenians into Syria; Displacement of Syrian laborers by Armenians; Decline of French support for Armenians.

Discusses the Zionist demands which were regarded by the French as a threat to French interests in Syria that should be resisted. Guidelines in anticipation of a French-Zionist conflict; High Commissioner of Syria H. de Jouvenel's offer of a proposal for a Jewish settlement in Syria.

Discusses the aspects of the French negotiation that produced the Asia Minor Agreement of 1916, the Sykes-Picot Agreement. French knowledge of England's parallel contacts with Sherif Hussein of Mecca; French policy perspective to the Zionist question and to Britain's 1917 issuance of the Balfour Declaration; Nahum Sokolow's dealings with the French government in 1917 and 1918; Diplomatic career of Francois Georges-Picot.

Examines French military activity in the Levant leading to the uprooting of the Sharifian government. San Remo Conference of 1920 granting France the Syrian mandate; Coronation of Faysal as king of Syria; French Premier Millerand; General Goraud, head of the French administration in Syria; Start of Hostilities; French entry in Damascus; Pro-French Durubi government.