Third Republic of France
1871-1914
After the fall of Napoleon III and the
end of the Franco- Prussian War…
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A republican government is electedThe Third Republic
Workers had defended Paris for
weeks against German troops– they
had been starved into submission
Parisians felt betrayed by the
surrender of the rest of France after
their sacrifice
The Paris Commune- 1871
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National elections were won by
monarchists, basically with
widespread support from the
outside of Paris
Traumatized Parisians erupted into
battle declaring the Paris Commune.
Radical Commune leaders wanted to
govern Paris without interference
from monarchists and the French
countryside.
Formation of 3rd Republic
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Thiers, who led the National
Assembly, brutally crushed the Paris
Commune.
Out of this tragedy, France forms
the 3rd Republic.
Monarchists failed to form a
coalition for a king and NA turned
moderate gov’t with a socially
conservative agenda
Gambetta- Pres. 1877-1879
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Most famous
Strong republican base established
for 10 years after fall of Napoleon
III
3rd Republic known for positive legal
changes in late 19th century
Changes included:
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Trade unions legalized
Acquired colonial empire in Africa
Under Jules Ferry president- free
compulsory elementary education
for both boys and girls
Tax supported schools expandedencouraged nationalism
Strained relationship between 3rd
Republic and RCC
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Pledge of Allegiance and National
anthem replace catechism and Ave
Maria- marking end of support of
Catholic control of education
RCC not a friend to republicanism
Final break between church and
state would occur over Dreyfus
Affair
Dreyfus Affair 1898-1899
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Extreme anti-Semitism
Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish Military
captain, was falsely accused of
treason and convicted
Republicans fought to overturn the
wrongful conviction, while the army,
monarchists, and most Catholics
supported the manufactured
evidence.
Dreyfus Affair con’t
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J’accuse by Emile Zola 1898 –
discredits the Dreyfus evidence
Dreyfus acquitted and returned
from Devil’s Island off the coast of
South America
Dreyfus Affair split French society
and ill feeling towards the RCC
revived