What was Paris commune of 1871
The National Assembly, which was elected in February 1871 to conclude a peace with Germany, had a royalist majority, reflecting the conservative attitude of the provinces. The republican Parisians feared that the National Assembly meeting in Versailles would restore the monarchy.
To ensure order in Paris, Adolphe Thiers, executive head of the provisional national government, decided to disarm the National Guard (composed largely of workers who fought during the siege of Paris). On March 18 resistance broke out in Paris in response to an attempt to remove the cannons of the guard overlooking the city. Then, on March 26, municipal elections, organized by the central committee of the guard, resulted in victory for the revolutionaries, who formed the Commune government. Among those in the new government were the so-called Jacobins, who followed in the French Revolutionary tradition of 1793 and wanted the Paris Commune to control the Revolution; the Proudhonists, socialists who supported a federation of communes throughout the country; and the Blanquistes, socialists who demanded violent action. The program that the Commune adopted, despite its internal divisions, called for measures reminiscent of 1793.
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What was Paris commune of 1871
The Paris Commune of 1871
The Paris Commune of 1871 was a revolutionary government that ruled Paris for a brief period from March 18 to May 28, 1871. It was formed in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War and the fall of Napoleon III's Second French Empire. The Commune represented a radical departure from traditional forms of governance and sought to establish a more egalitarian and democratic society.
Background
- The Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 resulted in the defeat of France and the capture of Napoleon III. The war led to widespread discontent among the French population, particularly in Paris.
- On March 18, 1871, as the German army surrounded the city, the National Guard of Paris, a citizen militia, rebelled against the French government and established the Commune.
Key Objectives
- The Paris Commune aimed to establish a decentralized and participatory form of government. It advocated for direct democracy, with citizens having a say in decision-making through local assemblies.
- The Commune sought to address social issues such as poverty and inequality. It implemented measures to improve workers' rights, including the establishment of cooperatives and the introduction of a 10-hour workday.
- It also aimed to separate church and state, with the Commune promoting secularism and the removal of religious influence from public affairs.
Challenges and Opposition
- The Commune faced significant challenges, both internally and externally. Internally, it struggled with internal divisions and disagreements over political ideology and strategies.
- Externally, the French government, led by Adolphe Thiers, was determined to suppress the Commune. Thiers ordered the French army to retake control of Paris, leading to a violent conflict known as the "Bloody Week."
Fall and Legacy
- The Commune was ultimately defeated by the French army in May 1871. Thousands of Commune supporters were killed or executed, and many others were imprisoned or exiled.
- Despite its short duration, the Paris Commune had a lasting impact on revolutionary movements and socialist thought. It inspired future generations of activists and thinkers, and its principles influenced subsequent revolutionary movements around the world.
In conclusion, the Paris Commune of 1871 was a radical experiment in governance that sought to establish a more democratic and egalitarian society. Although it was short-lived and faced significant opposition, its principles and legacy continue to resonate in the history of revolutionary movements.
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