French Third Republic
The French Third Republic was the system of government adopted in France from 1870, when the Second French Empire collapsed, until 1940, when France was overrun by Germany during World War II. This period was marked by significant political instability, multiple changes in government, and a rich cultural and intellectual life.
Establishment and Early Years
- The Republic was established after the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War and the subsequent fall of Napoleon III.
- The Paris Commune in 1871 was a significant event where radicals briefly took control of Paris, leading to a violent suppression by the conservative government.
Political Structure
- The French Third Republic was characterized by a bicameral legislature with a Chamber of Deputies and a Senate.
- The President of the Republic had limited powers; real power rested with the Chamber of Deputies and the numerous cabinets, which were often short-lived due to political instability.
Significant Events
- Dreyfus Affair (1894-1906): A major political and social scandal that divided the country along republican and nationalist lines, involving the wrongful conviction for treason of Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish artillery officer.
- Separation of Church and State (1905): The government enacted laws that formally separated the Catholic Church from the State, promoting secularism in public life.
- World War I: France's involvement in World War I saw significant national mobilization and the temporary suspension of many political divisions.
Cultural and Intellectual Life
Economic and Social Changes
- Industrialization continued to develop, with significant infrastructure projects like the Eiffel Tower.
- There were substantial improvements in public education, with laws mandating free, secular, and compulsory education.
- Social reforms included the introduction of pensions and workers' rights.
Decline and Fall
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