The July Revolution, also known as the Three Glorious Days, was a significant event in French history that took place from July 27 to 29, 1830. This revolution was pivotal in overthrowing the Bourbon monarchy of King Charles X and ushering in the reign of King Louis Philippe, thereby marking the transition from the Restoration Period to the July Monarchy.
Background
After the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815, the Bourbon Restoration saw the return of the Bourbon dynasty to the French throne. King Charles X, who succeeded Louis XVIII in 1824, pursued increasingly reactionary policies, which included:
- Attempting to restore many of the privileges of the Ancien Régime.
- Implementing strict censorship laws.
- Issuing the July Ordinances on July 25, 1830, which dissolved the Chamber of Deputies, suppressed the freedom of the press, and altered electoral laws to favor the aristocracy.
Events of the Revolution
The publication of the July Ordinances sparked immediate outrage among the French populace, particularly in Paris. Here's a timeline of the key events:
- July 27, 1830: The revolution began with Parisians taking to the streets to protest the ordinances. The National Guard and the regular army were called in to suppress the riots.
- July 28, 1830: Fighting intensified with barricades erected throughout the city. The Lafayette (Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette) returned to the scene, becoming a symbolic figure of the revolution.
- July 29, 1830: Known as the "Second Day," saw the most intense fighting. The revolutionaries gained control of key government buildings, including the Tuileries Palace.
- By July 30, King Charles X realized his position was untenable. He abdicated on August 2 and fled to United Kingdom.
Aftermath
Following Charles X's abdication, the Chamber of Deputies declared Louis Philippe, Duke of Orleans, as the new king. He accepted the throne on July 31, 1830, and became known as the "Citizen King" to signify a break from the divine right monarchy to a more constitutional monarchy. His rule, known as the July Monarchy, was characterized by:
- A broader franchise, though still limited to wealthy men.
- A more liberal constitution, the Charter of 1830.
- A focus on economic development and industrialization.
Impact and Legacy
The July Revolution had several lasting impacts:
- It inspired other European revolutions, notably the Belgian Revolution and the November Uprising in Poland.
- It demonstrated the power of the populace against an unpopular monarch, influencing political thought and action in Europe.
- The revolution's ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity were echoed in subsequent uprisings like the Revolutions of 1848.
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