The French Union reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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French Union

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Established by the French constitution of October 27, 1946, the French Union (French: Union Française) was a political entity created to replace the old French colonial system, the "French Empire" (Empire français). Lasting until 1958, it was replaced by the French Community.

The French Union included France and Corsica, French overseas départements, territories, settlements, United Nations trusteeships, French colonies (which became overseas départements of France) and associate states (protectorates) which became autonomous. In 1954, the states of French Indochina withdrew from the union, and in 1956 Morocco and Tunisia gained their independence.