ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

French colonial empire

The French Colonial Empire was a time in history when a country called France ruled over many other countries, often thousands of miles away. France had colonies in North and South America, West Africa, India, and Southeast Asia. This meant that France was in charge of these colonies and made the laws that had to be followed. France also got lots of resources, like food and metal, from these colonies to make their own country stronger.