France After The Cold War

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“By the end of the 1950s, the dream of a stable peace in Europe had been obliterated. There had been considerable historical debate over who bears the most responsibility for starting what would henceforth be called the cold war. In the 1950s, most scholars in the West assumed that the bulk of the blame must fall on the shoulders of Joseph Stalin, whose determination to impose Soviet rule on the countries of Eastern Europe snuffed out hopes for freedom and self-determination there and aroused justifiable fears of communist expansion in the western democracies.”(Duiker, William J., Contemporary World History, fifth edition. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage, 2010) One country in particular France, the end of the Cold War raised fundamental issues for …show more content…
Contemporary France has inherited a special nuclear history. France's attitude toward nuclear issues is anchored in an old strategic culture, which explains to a large extent the enduring reliance on nuclear weapons. Its nuclear strategy and rationale are accordingly less entrenched in Cold War memories. The policy of reasonable sufficiency always followed by France, even if it was for obvious economic reasons, has preserved France from the Cold War era excess. Combined with a nuclear posture aimed at preserving peace by deterring aggression against French vital interests, this strategy has built a special consensus in favor of nuclear deterrence. Nuclear weapons also provided France with a unique tool in inter-state relations with allowed Paris to develop an autonomous international policy backed by an independent security policy, or at least what was perceived as …show more content…
The number of moviegoers grew significantly in the 1990s, and though it varied somewhat during the first decade of the 21st century, The popularity of cultural activities is also evident, with increasing visits to historic monuments, art galleries, and museums. Although French cuisine has a reputation as a grand national feature, regional differences are marked. Some local dishes have achieved international fame, even if they are often poorly imitated. Paris is internationally known for its haute couture, exemplified by such houses of high fashion as Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and Christian Lacroix. Traditional dress is occasionally seen in many regions, although it is largely reserved for official ceremonies and