From Auvours Plateau to Minister of Marine: Limitations of Auguste Gougeard as an Agent of Organizational Change in the French Navy 1870- 1886
Journal: The Northern Mariner / Le marin du nord
Year: 2023

Following the Franco-Prussian War, the French Navy confronted the need for fundamental changes to its organization during the early years of the Third Republic. Auguste Gougeard - a naval officer, general, politician, and cabinet minister - pushed for naval reform through his published writings and advocacy, and eventually gained the opportunity to implement change when he became political head of the navy. But, the established naval leadership disliked his personal qualities, republican ideals,