The Paris Commune 1871
Chantel E.
H. Crosby
HIS 102-W08
March 31, 2013
The Paris Commune 1871 One of the most inspiring and greatest events for the working class in history is The Paris Commune of 1871. In March of 1871, the citizens of Paris declined the authority of the French government. The working class people were able to replace the state government with their own branch of government and held power until their decline. Causes of the Communes origins lie in the Franco-Prussian War as well as the siege of Paris. During this time, people were experiencing intense isolation from France and uproar of patriotism which caused socialist aspects to come about among the lower class Parisians. With the defeat of France and the end of the siege, people felt betrayed and defiance led to the withdrawal of the government, creating the Commune. Though the Commune did not last very long, this movement was seen as revolutionary. Their circumstances were difficult and grave but the workers of Paris still strived to stop the oppression and transform society in a new way. The siege of Paris was a tremendous blow to Parisians and ultimately planted the seeds of the Commune. With the capture and defeat of Napoleon III at Sedan, a republic was declared on September 4, 1870. However, rather than being concerned with fighting the Prussians, the moderate contingent government’s priority was to “repel the forces of anarchy and prevent a shameful revolt in Paris” (Tombs 102). The government tried negotiating peace with German legislator Otto von Bismarck quickly while also maintaining a committed stance in Paris’ defense. The population, including the National Guard, became more frustrated with the coactions and apparent deception of the government. The isolation and patriotism felt from the central authority revealed itself to be an overwhelming mix. Within the working class areas of the city, clubs and committees were formed and started making very radical requests and demands. More
H. Crosby
HIS 102-W08
March 31, 2013
The Paris Commune 1871 One of the most inspiring and greatest events for the working class in history is The Paris Commune of 1871. In March of 1871, the citizens of Paris declined the authority of the French government. The working class people were able to replace the state government with their own branch of government and held power until their decline. Causes of the Communes origins lie in the Franco-Prussian War as well as the siege of Paris. During this time, people were experiencing intense isolation from France and uproar of patriotism which caused socialist aspects to come about among the lower class Parisians. With the defeat of France and the end of the siege, people felt betrayed and defiance led to the withdrawal of the government, creating the Commune. Though the Commune did not last very long, this movement was seen as revolutionary. Their circumstances were difficult and grave but the workers of Paris still strived to stop the oppression and transform society in a new way. The siege of Paris was a tremendous blow to Parisians and ultimately planted the seeds of the Commune. With the capture and defeat of Napoleon III at Sedan, a republic was declared on September 4, 1870. However, rather than being concerned with fighting the Prussians, the moderate contingent government’s priority was to “repel the forces of anarchy and prevent a shameful revolt in Paris” (Tombs 102). The government tried negotiating peace with German legislator Otto von Bismarck quickly while also maintaining a committed stance in Paris’ defense. The population, including the National Guard, became more frustrated with the coactions and apparent deception of the government. The isolation and patriotism felt from the central authority revealed itself to be an overwhelming mix. Within the working class areas of the city, clubs and committees were formed and started making very radical requests and demands. More
Cited: Gluckstein, Donny. The Paris Commune: A Revolution in Democracy. Consortium Book Sales and Distribution, 2011. February 2013. Magraw, Roger. France 1815-1914: The Bourgeois Century. New York: Oxford University Press, 1986. February 2013. Shafer, David. The Paris Commune: French Politics, Culture and Society at the Crossroads of the Revolutionary Tradition and Revolutionary Socialism. Long Beach: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005. www.ebooks.com. February 2013. Starr, Peter. Commemorating Trauma: The Paris Commune and Its Cultural Aftermath. New York: Fordham University Press, 2006. Tombs, Robert. France 1814-1914. Ed. J.H. Shennan. Vol. 1. New York: Addison Wesley Longman Inc., 1996. 5 vols. Febrary 2013.