The 3rd French Republic (1870-1940) was an instrumental republic in European history, whose actions lead to the establishment of countless laws and articles taken for granted in today’s democracies. In order to properly understand the importance of these laws, how to enforce and protect them, as well as how to make change in society, looking back to the French III Republic gives key insight.
The origins of the French III Republic go back to September 4, 1870, when a provisional French government was established following the collapse of the 2nd French Empire during the Franco-Prussian war. Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor, had surrendered himself to the Germans following the Battle of Sedan, leaving France without a ruler. At the same time, a new movement was underway, led by radical socialists who wanted to continue the fight against Germany and a return to the old Republic: The Paris Commune of 1871.
The uprising was eventually quelled by French forces stationed at Versailles, engendering the death of 15,000 rebels and 20,000 deportations (they were transported to overseas colonies; E.g. New Guinea, New Caledonia, etc…). The movement did not end in vain for these Republicans, however, as between 1875 and 1879 they install a Parliament thanks to constitutional laws established during previous regimes, and in the following years they win the parliamentary and presidential elections. The new Republic begins to take form.
Following the elections, Republicans begin to pass laws that shape the fate of our modern democracies. These laws include the freedom of the press, the right to assemble, the right to associate and the right to vote for the male population. More ambitious reforms also took place in order to decrease social gaps between upper and lower classes. The first (and arguably most significant) reform was the creation of a completely secular school system by Jules Ferry in 1882, which was public, free and mandatory; religion was a personal matter but knowledge applied to everyone. The ideals of the French Revolution and the Spring of Nations (revolutions of 1848) were finally put into practice, creating one of the world’s first secular Republics. A law was even passed in 1905 comprehensively detailing the separation between Church and State, making it one of the first nations with laws protecting its citizens’ freedom and their independence from religious sects. Moreover, the practice applied to every citizen as slavery had been abolished in 1848.
The French 3rd Republic also became Europe’s first truly unified Republic, as France’s people were united under a set of ideals. The adoption of a national motto (“liberty, equality, fraternity”), a national flag, anthem and other symbols (e.g. the bust of Marianne, symbol of the first French Revolution) all served as reminders of the Republic’s mores, contributing to France’s national unity. Military service was also introduced as a way of promoting dialogue between social classes: the rich and the poor would serve together. The religious establishment was still respected as well: families were allowed to retain their children from going to school on Sundays on the behalf of religious beliefs, for this was a personal choice of the families, not concerning the education of future citizens.
Near the turn of the century, however, the Republic began to destabilize and neared its downfall. The Dreyfus affair, the rise of Revanchism as well as the economic ramifications of World War I (1914-1918) all contributed to this demise. The onset of the Vichy Regime following a French defeat at the hands of Nazi Germany in World War II, however, sealed it. A Provisional Government was proclaimed in the aftermath of the Allies’ liberation of France against Nazi Germany, in late 1944, and a new Republic, the 4th Republic, was created shortly thereafter in 1946.
In all aspects the French 3rd Republic was a great example of a just democracy: a country where its citizens have the right to vote, laws protecting their liberties as well as restrictions on the conduct of third-parties (e.g. the Church) in public affairs and schoolwork. It set the example for nations to come, and its policies on the preservation of national unity emulated by further republics. Even today the current French government wants a return to some of these policies, (e.g. reintroduction of military service), demonstrating its ongoing influence.