The French Foreign Legion

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the French Foreign Legion was and continues to be a legitimate fighting force, unique to France and the French experience, while still capturing the collective imagination of the world. The author points out that the legacy of the Legion's colonialist history and its impact on the perceptions of non-French nations is of an occupying force; the legacy they left behind is one of suffering, tragedy, and oppression. The paper relates that the French Foreign Legion is historically a remarkable organization, marked by extreme loyalty, diversity, and strength; its current role is as a U.N. directed force.

From the Paper:

"The Legion was founded in the year 1831 by King Louis Philippe. Although, without question, the Legion is patently French in its ideology, loyalty, and outlook, it is actually an international band of soldiers, joined together to fight for the interests of France. To be sure, because of its rather "eclectic" nature, many consider the Legion to be the essence of mercenary armies, a ragtag band of men of every nationality, race, and even creed as well as of every moral and ethical standard, from the brutish thug, to the idealistic soldier, fighting for God and country. However, the true French Foreign Legion is not so simple. In fact, to the French people, themselves, the Legion is a force imbibed with a rich and honorable history a representation of the collective French consciousness of the power of France, in spite of its international membership."

More papers on The French Foreign Legion:

• Book Review # 108602 : "'The French Lieutenant's Woman' and Categorization"
• Analytical Essay # 16385 : "The French Lieutenant's Woman"
• Analytical Essay # 88653 : "The French Lieutenant's Woman"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: