Political problems faced by the Third Republic in France 1870-1900:

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Political problems faced by the Third Republic in France 1870-1900:

The year 1871 signalled the end for the French 2nd Empire. The 2 September 1870, the Prussians had beaten, in Sedan, the French convincingly and had captured Napoleon III, France Emperor at the time. Two days later the third republic was proclaimed without violence. The new government continued resistance to the Germans who then laid siege to Paris. To defend the city, a National Guard was raised. Paris was besieged until January 1871.

On 8 February 1871, a new National Assembly was elected and this one gave to Thiers the title of Chef du Pouvoir. This government was established at Versailles not in Paris because of revolt in the city. The Paris Commune was elected on 28 March with its seat at the Hotel de Ville but a civil war was fought between the Commune and the troops of the Versailles government. The Second Siege of Paris began. The Commune was suppressed by government troops led by Marshal McMahon.. In May the Nation Assembly approved the Treat of Frankfurt with Germany that ended the Franco-Prussian war but France lost Alsace and Lorraine.

Between the years 1879 and 1914 the Third Republic faced 3 major crises. However the Republic survived.

The split in French society was shown clearly by the support for General Boulanger. The army was traditionally dominated by monarchists. General Georges Boulanger was one of the few republican generals in the army. In 1886 he was appointed Minister of War, largely by the influence of Georges Clemenceau. He brought in measures that improved the welfare of his troops and this earned him great popularity. His popularity and his speeches attacking Germany worried the government and he was removed as Minister of War in 1887.
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He was now a national figure around whom opposition to the government especially from the right began to rally. His support increased when it was revealed that the President's son in law, Daniel Wilson, was selling favours from the Elysee Palace. As a result the President, Jules Grevy, was forced out of office. Monarchists hoped that his popularity might be used to overthrow the republic. Economic conditions were poor and he received support from socialists and the unemployed as well.

In 1888 he was removed from the army and this allowed him to stand for election. He ...

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