---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The most momentous and far-reaching…"
description: "\"The most momentous and far-reaching question ever brought to issue on this continent was: Shall France remain here, or shall she not?\" — Francis Parkman"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/493/francis-parkman-16945_continents_the-most-momentous-and-far-reaching-ques_2923862.png"
---

#  The most momentous and far-reaching question ever brought…

![“The most momentous and far-reaching question ever brought to issue on this continent was: Shall France remain here, or shall she not?” quote by Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/493/francis-parkman-16945_continents_the-most-momentous-and-far-reaching-ques_2923862.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/493/francis-parkman-16945_continents_the-most-momentous-and-far-reaching-ques_2923862.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/493/francis-parkman-16945_continents_the-most-momentous-and-far-reaching-ques_2923862.png)

> “The most momentous and far-reaching question ever brought to issue on this continent was: Shall France remain here, or shall she not?”

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote questions whether France should stay in a region or withdraw, highlighting a pivotal geopolitical decision.

**In simple terms:** Should France stay or leave?

Key Takeaway

Consider the consequences of national presence.

Themes

politics sovereignty colonialism

Mood

reflective serious

Type

historical political

When to use this quote

- policy debate
- colonial history
- international relations

Key Concepts

geopolitics national interest

Questions to Reflect On

- What are the moral implications of foreign occupation?
- How does history judge such choices?

A Different Perspective

The decision may ignore local perspectives and long-term impacts.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Continent Shall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/continent-shall-697576/) [Continents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/continents/) [France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/france/) [France Remain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/france-remain-236388/) [Issues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/issues/) [Reaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reaching/) [Remain Shall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remain-shall-2491769/) [Shall France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shall-france-4056144/)

## Related quotes

> [If you throw me out of this house, I shall sleep on the path outside. If you return to the Continent without me, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eloisa-james/if-you-throw-me-out-of-this-house-i-shall-sleep-on-the-path-outside/)

[Eloisa James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eloisa-james/)

> [Until all Africans stand and speak as free human beings, equal in the eyes of the Almighty; until that day, the African continent shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-selassie/until-all-africans-stand-and-speak-as-free-human-beings-equal-in-the/)

[Haile Selassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-selassie/)

> [The transatlantic relationship is vital for both our countries: France will remain a reliable ally of the United States. Nevertheless, ally does not mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/the-transatlantic-relationship-is-vital-for-both-our-countries-france/)

[Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/)

> [There's no nation under the sun can beat the English for ill-politeness: for my part, I hate the very sight of them; and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/there-s-no-nation-under-the-sun-can-beat-the-english-for-ill/)

[Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/)

> [I meant it, Claire,' he said quietly. 'My life is yours. And it's yours to decide what we shall do, where we go next.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-meant-it-claire-he-said-quietly-my-life-is-yours-and-it-s-yours-to/)

[Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/)

> [We are a great nation, which has lot to offer to the world, but to offer something to the world France has to remain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marine-le-pen/we-are-a-great-nation-which-has-lot-to-offer-to-the-world-but-to/)

[Marine Le Pen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marine-le-pen/)

> [When we have become free, we need not go mad and throw up society and rush off to die in the forest or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/when-we-have-become-free-we-need-not-go-mad-and-throw-up-society-and/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [Our children are very much remaining Anglican, and I very much wish to remain and shall remain a Catholic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/princess-michael-of-kent/our-children-are-very-much-remaining-anglican-and-i-very-much-wish-to/)

[Princess Michael of Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/princess-michael-of-kent/)

> [“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-rongione/then-we-which-are-alive-and-remain-shall-be-caught-up-together-with/)

[Dana Rongione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-rongione/)

> [The growth of New England was a result of the aggregate efforts of a busy multitude, each in his narrow circle toiling for himself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/the-growth-of-new-england-was-a-result-of-the-aggregate-efforts-of-a/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

> [Africa is not a country, but it is a continent like none other. It has that which is elegantly vast or awfully little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-wilder/africa-is-not-a-country-but-it-is-a-continent-like-none-other-it-has/)

[Douglas Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-wilder/)

> [From time to time the continent shifts, and everything that isn't fastened down slides into Southern California.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lloyd-wright/from-time-to-time-the-continent-shifts-and-everything-that-isn-t/)

[Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/)

> [Entire new continent can emerge from the ocean in the time it takes for a Web page to show up on your screen. Contrary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/entire-new-continent-can-emerge-from-the-ocean-in-the-time-it-takes/)

[Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/)

> [On Father's Day, we pay tribute to all in our society who have taken on the responsibilitie s and joys of fatherhood. Whether our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/on-father-s-day-we-pay-tribute-to-all-in-our-society-who-have-taken/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/)

[Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/)

## More by Francis Parkman

> [It was a rich and gorgeous sunset - an American sunset; and the ruddy glow of the sky was reflected from some extensive pools…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/it-was-a-rich-and-gorgeous-sunset-an-american-sunset-and-the-ruddy/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

> [Riding in advance, we passed over one of these great plains; we looked back and saw the line of scattered horsemen stretching for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/riding-in-advance-we-passed-over-one-of-these-great-plains-we-looked/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

> [Four men are missing; R., Sorel and two emigrants. They set out this morning after buffalo, and have not yet made their appearance; whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/four-men-are-missing-r-sorel-and-two-emigrants-they-set-out-this/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

> [Early on the next morning we reached Kansas, about five hundred miles from the mouth of the Missouri.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/early-on-the-next-morning-we-reached-kansas-about-five-hundred-miles/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

> [The young nobles, of whom there were many, were volunteers, who had paid their own expenses in expectation of a golden harvest, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/the-young-nobles-of-whom-there-were-many-were-volunteers-who-had-paid/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

> [Spanish civilization crushed the Indian. English civilization scorned and neglected him. French civilization embraced and cherished him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/spanish-civilization-crushed-the-indian-english-civilization-scorned/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

> [France built its best colony on a principle of exclusion, and failed; England reversed the system, and succeeded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/france-built-its-best-colony-on-a-principle-of-exclusion-and-failed/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

> [Humanity, morality, decency, might be forgotten, but codfish must still be had for the use of the faithful in Lent and on fast days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/humanity-morality-decency-might-be-forgotten-but-codfish-must-still/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

> [If any pale student, glued to his desk, here seek an apology for a way of life whose natural fruits is that pallid and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/if-any-pale-student-glued-to-his-desk-here-seek-an-apology-for-a-way/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

> [Our New England climate is mild and equable compared with that of the Platte.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/our-new-england-climate-is-mild-and-equable-compared-with-that-of-the/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

> [Fort Leavenworth is in fact no fort, being without defensive works, except two block-houses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/fort-leavenworth-is-in-fact-no-fort-being-without-defensive-works/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

> [A military road led from this point to Fort Leavenworth, and for many miles the farms and cabins of the Delawares were scattered at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/a-military-road-led-from-this-point-to-fort-leavenworth-and-for-many/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

> [The monk, the inquisitor, and the Jesuit were lords of Spain,- sovereigns of her sovereign, for they had formed the dark and narrow mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/the-monk-the-inquisitor-and-the-jesuit-were-lords-of-spain-sovereigns/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

> [“Faithfulness to the truth of history involves far more than research, however patient and scrupulous, into special facts. The narrator must seek to imbue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/faithfulness-to-the-truth-of-history-involves-far-more-than-research/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

> [Not a breath of air stirred over the free and open prairie; the clouds were like light piles of cotton; and where the blue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/not-a-breath-of-air-stirred-over-the-free-and-open-prairie-the-clouds/)

[Francis Parkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

[Explore all 38 Francis Parkman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/)

## More Continents quotes

> [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/)

[Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/)

> [On Father's Day, we pay tribute to all in our society who have taken on the responsibilitie s and joys of fatherhood. Whether our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/on-father-s-day-we-pay-tribute-to-all-in-our-society-who-have-taken/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [Entire new continent can emerge from the ocean in the time it takes for a Web page to show up on your screen. Contrary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/entire-new-continent-can-emerge-from-the-ocean-in-the-time-it-takes/)

[Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/)

> [From time to time the continent shifts, and everything that isn't fastened down slides into Southern California.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lloyd-wright/from-time-to-time-the-continent-shifts-and-everything-that-isn-t/)

[Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/)

> [Africa is not a country, but it is a continent like none other. It has that which is elegantly vast or awfully little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-wilder/africa-is-not-a-country-but-it-is-a-continent-like-none-other-it-has/)

[Douglas Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-wilder/)

> [Revisiting the Revolutionary War is a bracing reminder that the fate of a continent, and the shape of the modern world, turned on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/revisiting-the-revolutionary-war-is-a-bracing-reminder-that-the-fate/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [At independence Kenya's economic indicators were equal to those of South Korea, but 45 years down the road, Korea's economy is 40 times that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raila-odinga/at-independence-kenya-s-economic-indicators-were-equal-to-those-of/)

[Raila Odinga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raila-odinga/)

> [From the world wars of Europe to the jungles of the Far East, from the deserts of the Middle East to the African continent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hoeven/from-the-world-wars-of-europe-to-the-jungles-of-the-far-east-from-the/)

[John Hoeven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hoeven/)

> [The seasons, like greater tides, ebb and flow across the continents. Spring advances up the United States at the average rate of about fifteen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-way-teale/the-seasons-like-greater-tides-ebb-and-flow-across-the-continents/)

[Edwin Way Teale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-way-teale/)

> [Almost every continent in the world, including our own, has refugees. But how often when we hear the word do we pause to remind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-simon/almost-every-continent-in-the-world-including-our-own-has-refugees/)

[Scott Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-simon/)

> [Today, any action anywhere on earth has an immediate repercussion on all five continents. News of a victory of the Eastern armies in Morocco…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikos-kazantzakis/today-any-action-anywhere-on-earth-has-an-immediate-repercussion-on/)

[Nikos Kazantzakis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikos-kazantzakis/)

> [The workman cut to the left, still laying on his horn, and roared around the drunkenly weaving limousine. He invited the driver of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-workman-cut-to-the-left-still-laying-on-his-horn-and-roared/)

[Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/)

> [As Africans, we need to share common recognition that all of us stand to lose if we fail to transform our continent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thabo-mbeki/as-africans-we-need-to-share-common-recognition-that-all-of-us-stand/)

[Thabo Mbeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thabo-mbeki/)

> [I am honoured to be asked to take on this role, especially as it comes at such an integral time for our relationship with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-boateng/i-am-honoured-to-be-asked-to-take-on-this-role-especially-as-it-comes/)

[Paul Boateng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-boateng/)

> [Germany will regard the Jewish question as solved only after the very last Jew has left the greater German living space... Europe will have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-rosenberg/germany-will-regard-the-jewish-question-as-solved-only-after-the-very/)

[Alfred Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-rosenberg/)

[Browse all 745 Continents quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/continents/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The most momentous and far-reaching question ever brought to issue on this continent was: Shall France remain here, or shall she not?",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Francis Parkman"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/the-most-momentous-and-far-reaching-question-ever-brought-to-issue-on/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Continents"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/the-most-momentous-and-far-reaching-question-ever-brought-to-issue-on/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/493/francis-parkman-16945_continents_the-most-momentous-and-far-reaching-ques_2923862.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/493/francis-parkman-16945_continents_the-most-momentous-and-far-reaching-ques_2923862.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/493/francis-parkman-16945_continents_the-most-momentous-and-far-reaching-ques_2923862.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The most momentous and far-reaching question ever brought to issue on this continent was: Shall France…” — Francis Parkman",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Francis Parkman",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parkman/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The most momentous and far-reaching question...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/the-most-momentous-and-far-reaching-question-ever-brought-to-issue-on/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parkman/the-most-momentous-and-far-reaching-question-ever-brought-to-issue-on/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```