The history of paris |
Warning: From the research I did, most information was portrayed in different ways, So I chose the most Reliable sources, and went with the most consistent information. |
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The modern area of what we call Paris, was discovered during the Iron Age, around 225-250 BC. It was discovered by a group called the Parisii, a tribe from the group of the Celtic Senones. It was first settled on the banks of the Seine. At the beginning of the 2nd century, they began to build structures. The first one was called an oppidum, a walled fort, although no trace of it has been found. The second thing built was a bridge across the river Seine. This settlement was called Lucotocia. It is believed that it was derived from the Celtic word luco or lugo, meaning swamp, or marsh.
The location of the Parisii was very sought after. At the time, the Seine river was a generous trading route. They had settled at a strategic crossing point of the Seine. That’s when Julius Ceasar became aware of the strategic importance of their location, so he sent his troops to crush the Parisii. This battle was known as the battle of Lutetia, and was won by the occupants. When the battle happened, the land was named Lutetia. Lutetia was starting to take shape. They had built an aqueduct which had supplied the city’s public bathhouses. They had built an amphitheatre. It became a base for the ones fighting the Barbarians. It was eventually moved to Île de la Cité (epicenter of modern Paris), was fortified , and was renamed Paris. In 451, an act of bravery took place that most likely prevented a war in Paris. The nun Saint-Geneviève diverted the course of Attila the Hun and his army, who wanted to take over Paris. She became the patron (saint) of Paris. Paris became the capital in the year 508, under the rule of Clovis (King of Franks). In the 8th century, Paris took on a new phase in it's long history. Under the rule of Hugues Capet, the Count of Paris (He was voted King of France in the year 987). He founded a new dynasty, called the Capetians. The Notre Dame construction began in 1163 (and finished in 1345). But that wasn't the only architectural break through in that time period. Philipe Auguste, a legendary urban planner, enforced the building of the walls around Paris, and the fortress, the Louvre. Around the 13th Century, Paris was a very populated and rich city. We can only assume there were more guilds in Paris, but a very known (and powerful) one is the Boatman's Guild.This was about the time they adopted their motto: Fluctuat nec mergitur (The boat is beaten by waves, but does not sink). It, later, be came the motto of Paris, not just that guild. In the 15th Century, Paris was ruled by England for sixteen years. In the 16th Century, Paris was expanding. This was the time of the Renaissance, so it was growing in beauty. These new (Renaissance) constructions were things like the new Louvre and the Hôtel de Ville. But those weren't the only new things being built. Many other historic buildings were constructed such as Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (The Natural History Museum) and the Luxembourg Palace. Under the rule of Henri IV, he made it the city's job to praise his power. This was the purpose that royal squares were created. It was in 1648 that the Frond came. The Frond was an uprising of the people of Paris. It ended in 1653. On July 14 1789, Parisians stormed and took siege (control) of the Bastille fortress. This is the start of the French revolution. This was the time they adopted their tricolor flag. Red and blue are the colors of Paris, with white, the color of the King. They adopted this flag at the Hôtel de Ville by Louis XVI. The Republic was recognized for the first time in 1792 But let's go into the French Revolution a little deeper. The French Revolution was a time where the people of France were trying to overthrow their rulers. It is also called the Revolution of 1789. Several kings and queens and rulers were executed. Eventually, Nepoleon Bonaparte put an end to the French Revolution. Nepoleon was elected as emperor in the Notre Dame Cathedral in 1804. He gave many new things to Paris, such as a numbered house system, and the embankments. Under Louis-Philippe the Arc de Triomphe was finished. The 1848 revolution, came to be the proclamation of the 2nd Republic. During the time of the Second Empire, in 1852, Paris was transformed by someone called Prefect Haussmann. He changed and added many different things in the Capitol. He made traffic lanes two-times wider, and the use of pavement a common thing. He also planted about 90,000 trees, created a 500 km long sewage network, etc. Five train stations were completed, and sales prices on buildings were increased. It was in 1870 that the 3rd Republic was declared, again, at the Hôtel de Ville. On September 19, 1870, the Prussians invaded Paris. The Paris Commune was destroyed during whats known as the 'Semaine sanglante' (bloody week). The outcome of that was 20 to 30,000 victims dead. One third of the city was burned down, including the Hôtel de Ville. With Paris under siege, it lost its status as the capitol of France for a time. The siege lasted from September 19, 1870 to January 28, 1871. In 1889, the Eiffel Tower was opened as a worldwide exhibition. Then in 1910, the city was flooded by the Seine river, as it has a hundred year flooding cycle. The World Wars, did not have much affect on Paris. Although it was occupied by Germans from 1940-1944. The free France had gathered in London, led by General de Gaulle. The city was liberated on August 25, 1944. The next day, General de Gaulle had tried to stop this by parading down in a part of Paris. But, alas, the city was saved. The German commander, Dietrich von Choltitz, had not carried out Hitler's orders to destroy the historic buildings of Paris. In the 1960's, many towers were built. And in the early 1970's the Paris ring road, the Montparnasse tower and the Palais des Congrès convention centre were completed. Jacques Chirac was elected mayor in 1977, the first mayor of Paris since 1871. And many great buildings were still being built such as the Opera Bastille, the Grande Arche de la Défense, the Stade de France. In 2001, the new City Hall team, led by Bertrand Delanoë, took charge of the city. In December 2006, the tramway made a comeback in the south of Paris: the first to be operated in the capital in 69 years! |