After The Cold War From The Relations Between France And Francophone African States Studying French Great Power Foreign Policy

No matter it was three hundred years ago in Louis XIV era, or back to today, French foreign policy deriving from its culture and history background. We always can see France plays an important role on the stage of history. France pride herself on being the home of a particularly rich culture, and on having a vocation to spread it overseas. Stimulated by the universalism ideals of the Revolution of 1789—Liberty, Equality, Fraternity—this vocation in the nineteenth century became a mission civilization, linked with French imperialist expansion and rule in Africa. Even after decolonization, the vision of France-Afrique as a single geo-political whole was offered as the goal of continued French presence in Africa. The concept symbolized the intensity with which many French and African came to believe that links with each other were interdependent.After the independence of Africa, France adopted the policy of decolonization in its post-colonial countries. The strategy meant the transformation of its former policy: a new 'collaboration' mode, in the fact 'lowered the three-color flag, instead of making a net with millions of agreements.' Quite a lot of pre- colonial officers as the identity of consultant or collaborators stayed in pre-colonial countries; Meanwhile France kept close economic relation with these countries and signed a series of military agreements. The content of these agreements included retained military bases and French army as well as military collaboration. After the cold war, facing deep changes both in politics and economy, French foreign policy in Francophone African underwent a changing process. From Mitterrand era, shortly after the cold war, France commanded Franco-African adopted "Democracy", if they didn't follow, the aids would be gone. French also played the role of "Policeman" in Africa, military intervention was quite frequent. As the consciousness of national independence strengthening, many flaws appear in French Africa policy. So French president Jacques Chirac launched important reforms such as redeploying French military forces in Africa, and restructuring how France distributes aid. Besides, France cuts down its army in Africa, and takes combined action in African affairs. As political situation turns good in Africa, and economy goes into the right track. Africa has become more attractive because of its advantage in resources. America began to pay more attention on Africa. Besides, as China has more economic relation with Africa, this also makes France feel worried. After the new President Nicolas Sarkozy goes into office, French Africa policy will have certain degree of shift.France's Africa policy makes the traditional impact sustained in this area and can also get support for its foreign policy .The two sides already have a very close relationship. France can set up its big power identity in a more reliable degree. The glory of French foreign policy gains resumption.