The 1830 and 1848 revolutions in France were a result of unrest with the monarchy. In 1830, Charles X suspended civil liberties and restricted voting rights, leading to protests. He was forced to abdicate and flee to England. Louis Philippe became the "Citizen King" but inequality grew under his rule. In 1848, reformers planned a protest banquet that was banned, leading to more unrest. Louis Philippe abdicated and the Second Republic was formed, establishing universal male suffrage. However, Louis Napoleon later made himself emperor as Napoleon III, beginning the Second Empire.
2. Background:
•Congress of Vienna had restored the
monarchy (after Napoleon)
•Louis XVIII became king
•A constitution was put into place: Charter
of French Liberties.
•2 house legislature
•Limited freedom of press
•When Louis XVIII died his brother Charles X
inherited the throne.
•Charles supported absolutism.
3. July 1830
Charles suspends the Charter
of French Liberties;
Limits the right to vote;
Restricts press.
Liberals and radicals throw up
barricades in the streets; they fire
on soldiers and throw rocks.
Within days they control Paris.
Charles abdicates and flees to England.
4. “Citizen King” Louis Philippe
Owed throne to the people
•Cousin of Charles X
•Had supported 1789 revolution
•Ruled under a constitutional monarchy
5. BUT over time…
•Extended vote to only the wealthy
•Working people grew poorer; middle
class and aristocracy wealthier
Once again, discontent with leadership of
country would lead to yet another revolution
6. Some reformers were planning a banquet…
…the government said LA LA LA.
Protestors took to the streets!
Louis Philippe abdicated (gave up the throne)…
…say good bye to the monarchy.
7. Louis Napoleon for President!
(N’s nephew)
Second Republic (First between Revolution and Napoleon):
•All adult men received right to vote
•Fueled women’s rights movement
•Inspired other revolutions in Europe
8. But then…
Louis Napoleon wanted to stay past his 4 year term…
•Arrested members of National Assembly who opposed him;
•Called for a vote on whether he could write a new constitution;
•Voters said YES
•Louis Napoleon became EMPEROR NAPOLEON II
•The SECOND EMPIRE begins.
9. The Second Empire
• Increased voting rights;
• Many new railroads;
• Increased trade & improved communications.
BUT…
• 1870 began a war with Prussia: Franco-
Prussian War.
• Napoleon captured; surrenders to Prussians.
10. The Third Republic
•Primary education for children 6-13;
•Trade unions legalized;
•By 1900 working hours reduced;
•1906 act requiring employers to give workers
one day off a week.
11. The rest of the story…well, in a nutshell…
Early governments of the Third Republic considered
re-establishing the monarchy, but confusion of the
nature of that monarchy, and who among the various
deposed royal families would be awarded the throne
caused those talks to stall and made the Third
Republic, originally intended to be a transitional
government, to become the permanent government
of France.
The Third Republic lasted until 1940 when Germany
invaded at the beginning of WWII.