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The Third French Republic Essay examples

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In the years from 1871 to 1914, France saw many social changes, economic and cultural, under the new government of the Third Republic. France experienced the modernization of its rural areas, the centralization of the state, and the emergence of a mass media culture. Furthermore, internationally France was heavily involved in the European race to imperialize in Africa and Asia. political participation in the international arena, which at the time was heavily involved in the race for imperial expansion in Africa and Asia.

The Third French Republic was established in September of 1870, after Napoleon III's Second Empire suffered a humiliating defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Immediately after the rise of the Third Republic, there …show more content…

Following Thiers' resignation, Count of Chambord (Bourbon) was chosen as the new French King with the Count of Paris (Orleanist) as his successor. However this arrangement quickly proved to be a failure, due to Count of Chambord's ambitions of absolute power, dissatisfaction from the provinces, and the growth of republican sentiments.

Republican sentiments proved to be a strong force and the National Assembly was finally forced to produce a new constitution, which established a bi-cameral legislature that included the Senate and the House of Chambers. In December of 1875, the National Assembly dissolved itself and the nation was once again a republic, led by President Marshal MacMahon. MacMahon himself was a monarchist and made one last attempt at the monarchical cause by dismissing the republican-minded Prime Minister Jules Simon and appointing the monarchist leader Broglie. MacMahon then dissolved the parliament and called a general election in hopes of curbing republican sentiments. However this scheme backfired and MacMahon was left with no choice but to resign after accusations of staging a constitutional coup d'etat. The removal of power from monarchists Count of Chambord and President MacMahon marked the triumph of republicanism in France.

Despite the strength and success of the Third Republic, French republicanism was not without its enemies. In 1889, France saw its Republic tested in what is now known as the Boulanger Case. The Boulanger

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