Are the French historically a weak people?

[Anonymous]

-In Gaul (before there was a France), they got invaded by the Italians/Romans, barely put up a fight too.
-Got invaded and conquered by the Franks (Germans) and their Visigoths (guys who sacked Rome in 410) friends (come to think of it, even the Romans were no match for the Franks).
-Got beaten by the English in the 100 Years War.
-Got beaten by the English again in the French And Indian War, thus losing Canada to them.
-Got beaten by the English yet again during the Napoleonic Wars (Napoleon had lost his touch).
-Lost Haiti in 1804.
-Failed to take Mexico in 1861-1867 (yes Mexico of all places lol)
-Got invaded by the Germans again not just once but twice (both World Wars) causing the British and Americans to bail them out.
-Lost Algeria in 1962.
-Recently got invaded by those of their former colonies.
-And now... they failed to get rid of Macron. They're now stuck with him for a while.

There ARE exceptions though: they had ferocious Knights of Templars during the Crusades, they helped America win their war against the English, and their Norman invasion of England in 1066 was successful at times yes?

Updates

+1 y

Oh and did I mention that they also lost in the Franco Prussian War in the 19th century?

[Anonymous]

The French today are modern day Franks. They defeated the goths and kicked them into Spain, defeated the lombards in Italy, conquered all of modern day Germany and Austria and set up the most powerful empire in Europe since the time of the Roman empire the Holy Roman empire, they beat the Muslims out of France, they won the 100 years war kicking the Normans who had been there from the times of the vikings and had at one time controlled the majority of France out. The Frank's also successfully held the Holy land for 100 years. Won various wars against the Dutch. Controlled a huge empire and were only really ever beaten by the Germans and English. Could also mention the napoleonic wars where they basically beat in battle the entire armies of Europe, that's every country that isn't France right the way to Russia and even the muslims except the British of course.

[purplepoppy]

OK, time for a big spoonful of reality. The Romans pretty much conquered everywhere and not always by force so no real shame there. As for England v France then remember France owned England since 1066, wars between them were more inbred relatives squabbling. True Britain did win the napoleonic wars, well actually the prussians did we just took the credit but a few years earlier France won the American war of independence.
France has actually won more battles than any other country.

[ChrisMaster69]

Erm the French won the 100 years war.

You might want to look at just how much of Europe the Normans conquered and how decisive in battles they actually were, such as Dyrrhachium. The First World War really underplays just how well France managed. While my country has been at war with France for nearly 1000 years, there is no knocking just how good they are, especially when the asker is too much of a coward to not be Anon and likely comes from a country with zero history.

[slatyb]

The English are invaded by the Romans too. Then they were invaded by the Normans (northern France). The Germans were also invaded by the Romans. It's all just politics and circumstance.

[andreasderjuengere]

The southwest of (now) Germany isn't really Germany :)
As for ''us'' Northerners - we kicked the Romans out once they dared to travel too much beyond the Rhine (for 'Americans': that's a river in (now) Germany). By circumstance - agreed :D

[jshm2]

Nope. The French have fought and won more wars than the USA.

In fact it's the USA that are historically a weak people, as they have never won a war without allied assistance.

[Avicenna]

The French are really an amalgamam of people from elsewhere

[andreasderjuengere]

A country that has such delicious cheese and wine... can't be weak :)

[Guanfei]

We're basically the nation with the biggest number of battles won in history. But I guess you have to be an American to show that lack of education.

[anylolone]

No, they are weak, they just really love that white flag.
lol!

[OddBeMe]

I don’t see how their society could have lasted if they were.

[Anonymous]

No nation has a flawless record of military engagements.

[Anonymous]

In the wake of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, the French people were considered warmongers.

[Asker]

Yeah but they weren't successful at the end.

[Stoner710]

Not as a people as a military yes

[Sixgunsound]

Don’t forget Vietnam…

[Iron_Man]

I won’t make any comments on them at this time