History of France

# **Third French Republic (1870 - 1919) (Unachieved)**

### Paris Commune and Franco-German War (09 / 02 / 1870 - 05 / 28 / 1871)

After the battle of Sedan and Napoléon III's surrender on September 2nd 1870, the French Republic is proclaimed by the republican politicians such as *Léon Gambetta* (1838-1882). Yet, the war isn't over and the German armies begin the siege of Paris two weeks later. Even if Gambetta still has the intention to continue the fight, France definitely surrender on January 28th 1871.

The National Assembly in 1871.

Red: Republican Union. Orange: Moderate Republicans. Yellow: Liberals.

Green : Bonapartists. Cyan: Orleanists (Moderate Monarchists). Blue: Legitimists (Bourbon Monarchists).

Due to the Orleanist Victory, Adolphe Thiers, former supporter of Orleanist Monarchy in 1830, is named President of the Republic and negociates peace with Prussia. A first treaty of peace is signed on February 26th, with war reparations of 6 billion Francs, Alsace and Moselle abandoned, a German military parade on the *Champs-Élysées* and the proclamation of the German Empire. Nevertheless, due to the famine in Paris during the winter and social inequalities in the capital, a marxist uprising between March 18th and 26th makes Paris to be autonomous from the Republic: the Paris Commune is proclaimed on 28th. Besides their libertarian convictions, the executive power becomes more autoritarian with the proclamation of the Committee of Public Safety on 1st May.

Tensions between the Republic (*Versaillais*) supported by Bismarck and the Commune (*Communards*) rise, until the Bloody Week between May 21th and 28th ends with a Republican victory. 877 *Versaillais* passed away during the clashes whereas between 6,000 and 30,000 *Communards* suffered the same fate, 40,000 were imprisoned and 4,500 deportated. During the insurrection, the Parisian Army demolished the Vendôme Column and burnt the Louvre Palace. Meanwhile, the Treaty of Francfort was adopted, finalizing the peace.

### Republican Era / *Belle Époque* (1871 - 1914) (Unachieved)

#### Political History of the Republic

1873: Election of MacMahon, monarchist President

1875: Constitutional laws are adopted at Auguste Casimir-Périer's demand.

1877: Victory of the left-wing (republicans) during the legislative elections.

1879: Election of Grévy- First Revolution becomes a symbol of the Republic and *Communards* are granted with amnesty

1879-1885: Jules Ferry reinforces the Republican ideology by reforming public scholarship and affirming rights such as press freedom. From 6 to 13 years old, public school is free, lay and mandatory. He also restarts colonization for economic, patriotic and civilizing purposes in continental China, Tunisia and Africa.

#### Civil Events

1889: From May 5th to 31st October, the Universal exposition is hold in Paris. The Eiffel Tower is inaugurated there with other buildings. It celebrates the 100th Birthday of the First Revolution.

1900: Another Universal exposition is organized between April 14th and November 12th. Both fairs are visited by 80,000,000 cumulated tourists.

1894-1906: The Dreyfus affair divides the population. The captain Alfred Dreyfus, an Alsatian jew, was imprisoned for life in Guiana for communicating military secrets to Germany. The writer Émile Zola publishes a letter addressed to Félix Faure in the newspaper *L'Aurore* about "the Affair". 4 years after Zola's death, Dreyfus is found not guilty on July 12th 1906.

# **Iron Era of the French Commune (1919 - 1968)**

### Leaderships

#### Thorez's Leadership / Totalitarian Communism (1940 - 1948)

Duclos' and Marchais' Leadership / Marxist-Leninism (1949 - 1969)