Nantes

:For a place in Brazil, see Nantes, Brazil

History

Originally founded as a town by the Celtic tribe named the Namnètes around 70 BC, it was conquered by Julius Caesar in 56 BC and named Portus Namnetus. Christianised in the 3rd century, Nantes was successively invaded by the Saxons (around 285), the Franks (around 500), the Britons (in the 6th and 7th centuries) and the Normans (in 843). In 937, Alain Barbe-Torte, grandson of the last king of Brittany who was expelled by the Normans, drove them out and founded the duchy of Brittany.

Related Topics:
Celtic tribe - 70 BC - Julius Caesar - 56 BC - 3rd century - Saxons - 285 - Franks - 500 - Britons - 6th - 7th centuries - Normans - 843 - 937 - Alain Barbe-Torte - Brittany - Duchy of Brittany

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When the duchy of Brittany was annexed by the kingdom of France in 1532, Nantes kept the parliament of Brittany for a few years, before it was moved to Rennes. In 1598, King Henry IV of France signed the Edict of Nantes here, which granted Protestants rights to their religion.

Related Topics:
1532 - Parliament of Brittany - Rennes - 1598 - Henry IV of France - Edict of Nantes - Protestant

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During the 18th century, prior to abolition of slavery, Nantes was the slave trade capital of France. This kind of trade led Nantes to become the first port in France and a wealthy city. When the French Revolution broke out, Nantes chose to be part of it, although the whole surrounding region soon degenerated into an open civil war against the new republic. The excesses of the revolution led to thousands of summary executions, mainly by drowning in the Loire river. In the 19th century, Nantes became an industrial city. The first public transport anywhere may have been the omnibus service initiated in Nantes in 1826. It was soon imitated in Paris, London and New York. The first railroads were built in 1851 and many industries were created.

Related Topics:
18th century - Abolition of slavery - Slave trade - French Revolution - Loire - 19th century - Omnibus - 1826 - Paris - London - New York - 1851

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In 1940, the city was occupied by German troops. In 1941, the murder of a German colonel caused the retaliatory execution of 48 hostages. In 1943, the city was bombed twice by British and American airplanes. Nantes was freed by the Americans in 1944. After World War II, the city slowly lost its industrial base. The harbour was moved to the very mouth of the Loire river, in Saint-Nazaire. It was only in the last 15 years of the 20th century that the city was able to move to a more modern economy.

Related Topics:
1940 - German - 1941 - 1943 - 1944 - World War II - Saint-Nazaire - 20th century

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