1930s: The French government is a constitutional democracy known as the Third Republic, based on the Constitution of 1815.

Today: The French government is a constitutional democracy known as the Fifth Republic, based on the Constitution of 1958.

1930s: France is a member of the multination alliance known as the League of Nations, which formed in the wake of World War I and was designed to maintain world peace.

Today: France is a member of the United Nations, which replaced the League of Nations at the end of World War II. France is also a member of the multination political and economic alliance known as the European Union.

1930s: France is a colonial power with national sovereignty over regions of North Africa and Indochina.

Today: France is no longer a colonial power, as most former French colonies have established national sovereignty.

1930s: The French unit of...