Era Summary Characters Timeline Reading Assignments
The Restoration and Republic period of France lasted 100 years, from the fall of Napoleon to the First World War. During this period, the French people deposed two kings and one emperor, established two republics and suffered through several periods of general anarchy. France was rich and prosperous in many ways, and the 19th century saw enormous advances in science, industry and commerce, but this prosperity only increased class resentment and political strife. The political factions in France during this time were strongly opposed to each other in issues of both religion and government philosophy. Although the conservative monarchist party was often willing to make concessions to moderate Republicans, the left wing Republican faction constantly agitated for radical wealth redistribution and the abolition of religion. The leftward drift of French politics, therefore, was only disrupted by periodic episodes of revolutionary violence which reminded the populace of the horrors of anarchy and the viciousness of a politicized mob.
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Since the time of the French revolution, the Republican party had been composed of both conservative constitutionalists, such as Lafayette and the Girondists, and left-wing fanatics who pandered to the discontented mob and advocated a form of communism. Both royalists and conservative republicans opposed the radicals but they differed regarding matters of religion. By 1830 republicans saw an opportunity to transition to a constitutional monarchy. Louis Philippe, a second cousin of King Charles, was not the legitimate heir. However, he was from the Royal family, a committed republican, and a friend of Lafayette. Both men had spent considerable time in American and were great fans of the Constitution, so when Lafayette proposed Louis Philippe to replace the deposed Charles X, he was accepted by both monarchists and republicans.
Revolution of 1848—Thiers and Guizot were highly competent ministers and for nearly twenty years the constitutional monarchy under Louis Philippe was relatively stable. The first secular public schools in France were established, and several other reforms of government were made. The government ministers, who remembered the horrors of the Reign of Terror, were careful to restrict the vote to men of property. This naturally caused grumbling and reduced the legitimacy of the government, but it was thought to be a necessary safeguard. When the Revolution of 1848 broke out however, the rioters insisted on democratic reforms and deposed the Royal family once and for all.
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Napoleon III and the Second Empire—Although Napoleon's rule ended in disaster for France, he was still remembered as a capable and charismatic leader who had brought unity and glory to the country. To many Frenchmen, he combined the most important reforms of Republicanism with strong executive leadership, and though irreligious himself, he was at least nominally supportive of the Catholic Church. The Bonapartist party, therefore, was popular throughout the 19th century in France, and when popular elections were finally held Napoleon III, the nephew of the great general, was able to get himself elected as president with a large majority of votes. The chaos and anarchy that preceded Napoleon III's election was a reminder of how difficult democratic government was for France, so within a few years Napoleon had himself elected emperor, with a great outpouring of popular support.
While Napoleon III tried to keep peace in Europe, his reign involved a considerable amount of military intervention overseas. After battling Algerian pirates France gained control of Algeria, Tunis, and Morroco in Africa. In Asia, she joined forces with England during the second Opium War, and also gained colonies in "Cochinchina", now Vietnam. In the Middle East, she opposed Russia's expansion by allying with Britain and Turky, and helped develop the Suez Canal in cooperation with Egypt. And in Mexico, France tried to establish an empire under Archduke Maximilian but was eventually force to withdraw by the United States. Napoleon's only major foray into European politics involved supporting Sardinia in her war to drive Austria out of Northern Italy. His involvement in Italy was controversial, however, so he withdrew French troops at the first opportunity.
Franco Prussian War and the Commune of Paris—Unfortunately for Napoleon III, the downfall of his empire was being carefully planned by Bismarck, the Prussian master-strategist. By clever alliances and diplomatic manipulation, Bismarck was able to provoke three European wars between 1864 and 1870, each of which dramatically increased Prussian territory and influence. In 1870 he turned his attention to France, manipulated Napoleon III into declaring war, vanquished the French within a few months, and demanded territory and over a billion dollars in "reparations". France was utterly humiliated, Napoleon was captured and forced to resign, and his government was in shambles. The Prussians surrounded Paris, but since there was no legitimate government in place, France could not even manage to surrender. Eventually Thiers, a well-respected stateman of the Louis Philippe era, was able to put together a temporary government capable of signing a peace agreement. He was forced to borrow an enormous amount of money and pay off the war indemnity before German soldiers left France.
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The Third Republic—By the time the provisional government had retaken Paris, the radical republican element of the government was entirely subdued. An election for President was held and General McMahon, a highly respected conservative "Royalist" was selected. The president himself would have preferred to return to a constitutional monarchy but given the lack of credible heirs to the throne there was no alternative but to accept a Republic. MacMahon's conservative leadership, combined with the suppression of radical political parties got the Third Republic off on solid footing.
Once the communist element of the political spectrum was purged, the major difference between "conservative" and "liberal" wings of the government regard the Republic's policies towards the Catholic Church. It was in this area that the policies of the Republic were most contentions over the following decades, and the anti-clerical wing of the Republic made steady progress in restricting the rights and privileges of the Church. Only four years after McMahon retired a "public school" bill was passed that prohibitted many religious orders from teaching. Under the influence of Freemasonry and other anti-clerical organizations, Catholics in public office were spied upon and denied promotion. Finally, in 1905, the French passed a law completely separating the Church and State in France and at the same time placed all church properties in the hands of lay-organizations. This put an end to a great many Catholic institutions since the Pope insisted on independence in ecclesiastical matters. After the Great War a partial compromise was achieve, but France remains today one of the most aggressively secular and anti-Catholic countries of Europe.
Character/Date | Short Biography |
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Last Kings of France | |
1755–1824 |
French monarch restored to the throne after the collapse of Napoleon's empire. Brother of Louis XVI killed during revolution. |
1757–1836 |
Last French Bourbon King. Abdicated the throne during the Revolution of 1830. |
1773–1850 |
French prince with liberal sympathies. Proclaimed king after abdication of Charles X. |
1832–1867 |
Archduke who was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico. Overthrown and executed by Liberal republicans. |
Bonapartists | |
1808–1873 |
Nephew of Napoleon, elected emperor of France after revolution of 1848. Deposed after disastrous Franco-Prussian War. |
1781–1824 |
Stepson of Napoleon, who accompanied him on all his early campaigns. Later Prince of Italy. |
1783–1837 |
Step-daughter, and sister-in-law of Napolean Bonaparte, and mother of Napoleon III of France. |
1826–1920 |
Wife of Napoleon III and Empress of France. Influential figure in society and fashion as well as politics. |
Statesmen | |
1838–1882 |
Radical Republican politician who came to prominance after the Franco-Prussian War. Served briefly as Prime Minister. |
1808–1893 |
First elected president of the Third French Republic. Conservative popular with both Monarchists and Bonapartists. |
1797–1877 |
Respected minister during reign of Louis Philippe, and chosen first president of the Third Republic. |
1787–1874 |
Served as a minister to Louis Philippe. Influential in establishing Publich education in France. |
1805–1894 |
French diplomat in charge of development of the Suez canal. His canal project in Panama failed with great loss. |
Notable Citizens | |
1859–1935 |
Jewish artillery officer, falsely accused of treason. Subject of international anti-semite scandal. |
1822–1895 |
Renowned scientist in bacteriology. Helped develop germ theory of disease and pasteurization process. |
1867–1934 |
A pioneer in the field of radioactivity, and first female winner of the Nobel prize in physics. |
1802–1885 |
French novelist, known for classics such as Les Miserables and Hunchback of Notre Dame. |
AD Year | Event |
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Restoration: 1814-1848 | |
1815 | Napoleon defeated at Waterloo, sent into exile. Marshal Ney shot as a traitor. |
1815 | Congress of Vienna, led by Metternich redraws map of Europe; restores monarchies. |
1815 | Restoration of Louis XVIII to the throne. Bonaparte family exiled from France. |
1821 | Death of Napoleon in exile at St. Helena. |
1824 | Death of Louis XVIII. Charles X ascends to the throne of France. |
1827 | Algiers conquered by France. |
1830 | Revolution of 1830. Louis Philippe, Duke of Orleans, made king. A constitutional monarchy replaces the Bourbon line. |
1832 | Death of Napolean II crushes hopes of Bonapartist party for a restoration of Empire. |
1833 | Public school established throughout France. |
1842 | Prince of Orleans dies unexpectedly, leaving Orleans succession in doubt. |
Second Republic: 1849-1851 and Second Empire: 1852-1870 | |
1848 | Revolution of 1848. Chaos and Anarchy reign. |
1849 | Napoleon III is elected president of the Second republic. French troups sent to defend Rome. |
1852 | Napoleon III dissolves National Assembly and has himself "elected" as Emperor. |
1853 | Napoleon III marries Eugenie de Montijo, a French-Spanish commoner. |
1853-56 | France allies with England against Russian in the Crimean War. |
1856-60 | Opium War. |
1859 | France drives Austria out of Northern Italy. 2nd War of Italian Independence; Battles of Magenta, Solferino. |
1862 | French establish colony in "Cochin China" (modern-day Vietnam). |
1861-67 | French intervention in Mexico. Maximilian installed as Emperor, then deserted. |
1869 | Opening of Suez Canal. |
1870-71 | Franco Prussian War. Napoleon III resigns after capture at Battle of Sedan. |
Third Republic: 1870-1914 | |
1871 | Paris Commune. |
1871 | Thiers, representing Orleanist faction, becomes first president of provisional Republic. |
1873 | McMahon, representing monarchist faction, becomes second president of provisional Republic. |
1875 | French constitution is ratified. |
1879 | Prince Napoleon, heir to the Bonaparte Monarchy, dies in Zululand. |
1879 | Grevey, representing republican faction, elected president. |
1882 | Jules Ferry Laws: Secular public schools. |
1886 | Statue of Liberty, designed in France, is presented as a gift to the United States. |
1887 | Carnot elected president. |
1889 | Eiffel Tower built for French World's Fair, on the anniversary of the French revolution. |
1895 | Favre elected president, representing the Liberal party. |
1895 | First trial of Alfred Dreyfuss. |
1899 | Second trial of Alfred Dreyfuss. |
1904 | Emile Combes anti-clerical scandal. |
1905 | Separation of Church and State. All Catholic buildings confiscated by the state. |
Core Reading Assignments | ||
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Guerber - The Story of Modern France | Death of Louis XVIII to France in Our Day (19) | |
Macgregor - The Story of France | The Revolution of July to "The Man of Sedan" (4) | |
Supplemental Recommendations | ||
Birkhead - Heroes of Modern Europe | Napoleon III (1) | |
Upton - Eugenie, Empress of the French | entire book | |
Upton - Table of Contents | entire book | |
Morris - Nations of Europe and the Great War | Ambition of Louis Napoleon (1) | |
Morris - Nations of Europe and the Great War | The French Republic (1) | |
Abbott - Louis Philippe | entire book | |
Abbott - Hortense | entire book | |
Special Interest Military | ||
Fraser - Boys' Book of Battles | Sedan (1) | |
Morris - Nations of Europe and the Great War | The Franco-Prussian War (1) | |
Morris - Historical Tales: French | The Franco-Prussian War (1) | |
Abbott - The History of Prussia | France Invaded to The Commune (11) |
I: Introductory, II: Intermediate, C: College Prep