Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2

Preview

• Main Idea / Reading Focus

• The Revolution of 1830

• Birth of a Republic

• The Dreyfus Affair

Revolution and Change in France

Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2

Reading Focus

• What happened during the Revolution of 1830?

• What were the results of the birth of the French republic?

• How did the Dreyfus affair reveal divisions within French society?

Main Idea

During the 1800s opposing groups in France struggled to determine what kind of government France would have—a republic, a constitutional monarchy, or an absolute monarchy.

Revolution and Change in France

Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2

At the end of the Napoleonic era, the Congress of Vienna restored Louis XVIII to the French throne. The French had a constitution and a legislature, but most power remained with the king. The French people would not remain content with their government for long.

• Charles X inherited throne with death of brother, Louis XVIII

• Tried to rule as absolute monarch

• Citizens revolted, Revolution of 1830

• Charles abdicated, fled to England

A King Abdicates

• Klemens von Metternich had supported absolute monarchies, reactionary ideals at Congress of Vienna

• Feared revolution would spread

Metternich

• Moderate liberals formed constitutional monarchy

• Chose Louis Philippe new king

• Aristocrat popular with middle class

• Called “citizen king”

Louis Philippe

The Revolution of 1830

Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2

Economic Depression• During Louis Philippe’s reign, working people grew poorer, middle

class and aristocracy became more prosperous

• Popularity deteriorated rapidly with economic depression of 1846

• Life became difficult for all but wealthiest people

• Discontent would lead to revolution again

Repressive Rule• Louis Philippe became more like king, less like citizen over time

• Increased number of voters, but only extended vote to more wealthy citizens

• Limited freedom of press, rule became increasingly repressive, silenced most who opposed him

Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2

Identify Cause and Effect

What were the effects of the Revolution of 1830?

Answer(s): King Charles X abdicated and was replaced by King Louis Philippe, the “citizen king.”

Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2

The economic troubles and general unhappiness simmered until 1848. Then revolution exploded again and another republic was born.

• Sparked when French government banned banquet planned by reformers

• Middle- and working- class protesters took to streets

• Louis Philippe abdicated

• New government formed, a republic headed by a president

• Voters elected Napoleon’s nephew, Louis Napoleon

The Revolution of 1848• Era known as Second

Republic; First Republic existed between French Revolution, reign of Napoleon

• Revolution of 1848 had far-reaching effects: ensured all adult men had right to vote, fueled new women’s rights movement, inspired other European revolutions

Second Republic

Birth of a Republic

Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2

• Period became known as Second Empire

• Napoleon III made reforms such as increasing voting rights but always kept absolute power as emperor

• Ruled during time of economic prosperity

• Built many miles of railroads, helped increase trade and improved communications in France

Reforms

• French constitution allowed president to serve four years

• Louis Napoleon wanted to remain in office

• 1851, sent troops to Paris, arrested members of National Assembly who opposed him

• Called for national vote on drafting new constitution

• 1852, French elected him Emperor Napoleon III

New Constitution

Napoleon III and the Second Empire

Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2

War with Prussia

• 1870, Napoleon III drew France into war with Prussia

• Napoleon III captured, surrendered to Prussians

Siege of Paris

• New republic immediately faced crisis

• Prussians invaded France, began siege of Paris

Deposed

• Shameful defeat led French Assembly to depose Napoleon III

• Proclaimed Third Republic

Important Reforms

• Primary education available for children between 6 and 13

• Trade unions legalized, working hours reduced, workers got one day off per week

The Third Republic

Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2

Draw Conclusions

Why did the French elect Louis Napoleon as their president?

Answer(s): possible answer—because of his famous name and family legacy

Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2

• Reforms did not solve all of France’s problems

• Divisions continued to split French society

• 1894, divisions came to head over controversial Dreyfus Affair, revealing extent of French anti-Semitism, prejudice toward Jews

• Alfred Dreyfus, captain in French army, Jewish

• Falsely accused of betraying military secrets to Germany

• Anti-Semitic officers knew he was not guilty, let Dreyfus take blame

Dreyfus• Dreyfus humiliated in public

ceremony, uniform stripes removed, sword broken

• Evidence suggested another, non-Jewish, officer may have been spy, but found not guilty in court

• Dreyfus not cleared until 1906

Evidence

The Dreyfus Affair

Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2

Zola• 1898, French writer Émile Zola defended Dreyfus

• Published letter accusing French government of anti-Semitism

• Letter set off riots, led French courts to reopen Dreyfus’s case

Zionism• Herzl believed root of anti-Semitism was that Jews did not have own nation

• 1900s, many Jews had settled in eastern Mediterranean area, Palestine

• Settlements caused other Jews to follow, Zionist movement strengthened

Effects • Many political groups united into two—those for Dreyfus and those against

• Theodor Herzl began Zionism movement, called for re-creation of a Jewish state in original homeland

Defending Dreyfus

Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2

Identify Cause and Effect

What were two major effects of the Dreyfus affair?

Answer(s): polarized the French into two groups; inspired Theodor Herzl to begin the movement called Zionism, with the objective of creating a Jewish state in Palestine