What were the problems that the Third Republic faced during the
period 1871-1914? How far did it succeed to solve them?
This question requires students to explain the significance of the problems and
effectiveness of the solution. It is better to divide the problems into different periods
or several themes, i.e. political, economic, social and external.
Problems and solutions:
1. Civil war during the Paris Commune: the decision to yield to Germany at the
Franco-Prussian War led to the Paris Commune which was nationalistic in
nature. The significance of the problem was the exposure of the class conflict,
which was shown in the Paris Commune, in which most common people were
afraid of the monarchist restoration. The country was divided into Left and
Right. The solution was the decision on setting up a republic for avoiding
further class conflict. The conflict between common people and nobles seemed
solved as no further conflict was shown later.
2.
The power struggle between monarchist and republican on the form of the
government: The monarchist used 1875 constitution and Macmahon to
guarantee the quick return of the monarchist's power. Yet, the republicans
promoted republicanism. It led to the conflict in the parliament. Finally the
republican won the elections. Their solutions on such conflict were anti-clerical
propaganda and 1884 Law.
3.
The third problem was the crises: the monarchists used the Boulanger affair,
Panama Scandal and Dreyfus case to weaken the authority of the government.
They wished to replace the republican by criticizing the government to linked
with the Jews who controlled the government. The republican fought back by
allying with the socialist and attacked the church in return. After the Dreyfus
case, the republican even controlled the army. Finally, the republican controlled
the government firmly.
4.
The fourth problem was the rise of radicalism, especially the syndicalism which
urged for the strike to paralyze the government. The republican allied with
moderate socialist by allowing the them to join in the government. Moreover,
further improvement in social welfare was made.
5.
The last problem was the external isolation. It is controversial whether France
could break the isolation by 1914. It seems that she did, in fact, she didn't.