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Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2 Revolution and Change in France 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. Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2 The Revolution of 1830—A King Abdicates 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. A King Abdicates • Charles X inherited throne with death of brother, Louis XVIII • Tried to rule as absolute monarch • Revolution of 1830 • Citizens revolted, Charles abdicated, fled to England Metternich • Klemens von Metternich had supported absolute monarchies, reactionary ideals at Congress of Vienna • Feared revolution would spread Louis Philippe • Moderate liberals formed constitutional monarchy • Dressed like a commoner • Aristocrat popular with middle class • Called “citizen king” Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2 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 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 Section 2 Reforms, Revolutions, and War Revolution of 1848 The economic troubles and general unhappiness simmered until 1848. Then revolution exploded again and another republic was born. The Revolution of 1848 • 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 • Revolution of 1848 had farreaching effects: ensured all adult men had right to vote, fueled new women’s rights movement, inspired other European revolutions Why Louis Napoleon? • Famous Name • Family legacy Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2 Napoleon III and the Second Empire New Constitution Reforms • French constitution allowed president to serve four years • Period became known as Second Empire • Louis Napoleon wanted to remain in office • Napoleon III made reforms such as increasing voting rights but always kept absolute power as emperor • 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 • Ruled during time of economic prosperity • Built many miles of railroads, helped increase trade and improved communications in France Section 2 Reforms, Revolutions, and War The Third Republic War with Prussia • 1870, Napoleon III drew France into war with Prussia • Napoleon III captured, surrendered to Prussians Deposed • Shameful defeat led French Assembly to depose Napoleon III • Proclaimed Third Republic Siege of Paris Important Reforms • New republic immediately faced crisis • Primary education available for children between 6 and 13 • Prussians invaded France, began siege of Paris • Trade unions legalized, working hours reduced, workers got one day off per week Section 2 Reforms, Revolutions, and War The Dreyfus Affair • 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 Dreyfus • 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 Evidence • Dreyfus humiliated in public ceremony, uniform stripes removed, sword broken • Evidence suggested another, nonJewish, officer may have been spy, but found not guilty in court Reforms, Revolutions, and War Section 2 Defending Dreyfus 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 7. Effects Inside • Many political groups united into two—those for Dreyfus and those against • Dreyfus was cleared in 1906 • Theodor Herzl began Zionism movement, called for re-creation of a Jewish state in original homeland Outside 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