The acquisition of colonies served, starting from the 15th century, to expand the influence of all major, mostly European countries beyond land and water borders, as well as to spread their own culture to foreign regions of the Earth. By the end of the 16th century, France was able to acquire its first territories and gradually expanded its influence until it became the second-largest colonial power in the 19th century. These developments up to the year 1901 are the subject of the present book by Alfred Zimmermann. He details the process of France's colonization efforts and also points out the political significance and the connection to other European colonial powers.