France Second Third Republics 1848 in France King

France: Second & Third Republics

1848 in France • King Louis Philippe was conservative and corrupt. • Banquets of opposition—Feb. 21 st government forbade them • Revolt leads to abdication of the throne

• Provisional government makes national workshops. • April 13 th—new National Assembly elected. Conservatives win. – Close workshops – Causes June Days. • Need for social order, strong leader.

Louis Napoleon • Name • Cooperative and popular • Requests reelection in 1851 and is turned down – Seizes government control • 1852—restores universal manhood suffrage and uses a plebiscite. – People voted him back in. He becomes emperor in December.

Characteristics of Rule • • Had extravagant court Full control Frequent plebiscites Supported economic liberalism • Main goal: bring France back to a state of glory – Wars with Russia and Austria

Rule • 2 parts— – 1851 -1860—authoritarian empire – 1860 -1870—liberal empire • Because of questioned rule & failure in foreign policy • Free trade with Britain • Freer debate in legislature • Relaxed press/union laws

Last Attempt at Popularity • Enters the Franco-Prussian War • Battle of Sedan—emperor captured & sent to England • Second Empire is over Second Republic begins

Paris vs. Provinces • Divided on whether they wanted a monarchy or republic • National Assembly dominated by monarchists. Gave executive power to Adolphe Thiers, to negotiate peace treaty with Prussia. • Treaty of Frankfurt—France charged indemnity. Lost Alsace and Lorraine. Occupation by Prussia.

Paris Commune • Paris feels betrayed by National Assembly. • March 1871—Elects new municipal government—the Paris Commune. • Read primary source.

• Intends to rule Paris separately. • National Assembly sends troops to surround Paris. – Kill 20, 000 civilians in one week. – But they restore order! • Becomes legend across Europe—thought by Marxists to be a proletariat government suppressed by bourgeoisie.

National Assembly Problems • Divided on who they want as king—House of Bourbon or Orleans. • Republicans gain strength. • 1875—National Assembly decides to create political structure for Third Republic.

Third Republic • Stabilized France but had limited effect because lacked strong executive and had multiparty system. • Longest republic: 1875 -1940

Dreyfus Affair • Greatest challenge What is Zola’s main accusation?

• Dec. 22, 1894—French military court found Captain Alfred Dreyfus guilty of spying for Germany. • Later found to be forged evidence • Officer Ferdinand Esterhazy was guilty but army investigators accused Dreyfus because he was Jewish.

• After Esterhazy is shown to be guilty, conservatives continue accusing Dreyfus. • 1898—J’Accuse written by Emile Zola • Political left comes to Dreyfus’ support. Put conservatives on defensive. – Creates alliance that will outlast Dreyfus Affair