A distinction is generally made between the " First French colonial empire ", that existed until , by which time most of it had been lost or sold, and the " Second French colonial empire ", which began with the conquest of Algiers in France began to establish colonies in the Americas , the Caribbean , and India in the 16th century but lost most of its possessions after its defeat in the Seven Years' War.
The territory was then sold to the United States in France rebuilt a new empire mostly after , concentrating chiefly in Africa as well as Indochina and the South Pacific. As it developed, the new French empire took on roles of trade with the metropole , supplying raw materials and purchasing manufactured items.
Especially after the disastrous Franco-Prussian War , which saw Germany become the leading economic and military power of the continent of Europe. Acquiring colonies and rebuilding an empire was seen as a way to restore French prestige in the world.
It was also to provide manpower during the world wars. A major goal was the Mission civilisatrice or " Civilizing Mission ". In World War II, Charles de Gaulle and the Free French took control of the overseas colonies one-by-one and used them as a base from which they prepared to liberate France. Historian Tony Chafer argues that: "In an effort to restore its world-power status after the humiliation of defeat and occupation, France was eager to maintain its overseas empire at the end of the Second World War.
Revolts in Indochina and Algeria proved costly and France lost both colonies. After these conflicts, a relatively peaceful decolonization took place elsewhere after Newer remnants of the colonial empire were integrated into France as overseas departments and territories within the French Republic.
