France 1814-48

1
France 1814-48

• The July Monarchy

2
1830 Revolution what next?

• A regency until Charles grandson came of age?
• A republic under the leadership of Lafayette,
  hero of 1789?
• Another monarchy under Louis Philippe?
• Outside chance of another Bonaparte?

3
The July Monarchy 1830-48

• Family connection with the Bourbons
• Father had sympathised with the Revolution
• Critic of Charles X
• Family was one of the wealthiest in France

4
Early changes

• Wealthy wanted to reverse policies of Charles X
• New flag
• Louis Philippe NOT Louis XIX or Philip VI
• King of the French by the Grace of God will of
  the people

5
Political Changes

• King could no longer suspend laws rule by
  decree
• Assembly could now propose legislation
• Electorate increased from 94,000 to almost
  130,000
• Power of Church reduced
• - now the religion practised by the majority

6
Two views of 1830
1830 seen as Start for more political Change
Social reform
REFORM POLITICALCHANGE
The Party of Movement
1830 only chance to change the King. Wished to
preserve status quo
STABILITY POLITICAL STAGNATION
The Party Of Resistance
7
Challenges to Louis-Philippe
Bonapartists gave support to Louis Napoleon
Bonaparte. Wanted return to days of glory. 2
failed coups, 1836 1840
Legitimists gave support to son of Duc de
Berri. Attempted coup 1832
Republicans no distinct party lot of support
from poorer classes. Led by middle class
activists who wanted more democratic system.
Biggest threat to Louis Philippe
8
Political Opposition

• LP position rested on narrow social elite
• He was determined to rule and not to allow
  parliament to dominate French politics
• Middle classes became increasingly angry at
  exclusion from politics
• LPs refusals to listen to demands for social
  reforms strengthened socialist cause

9
The Impact of the Industrial Revolution

• By 1830 France undergoing industrial revolution
  impact of urbanisation
• Strikes in various cities 1830-34
• LPs govt supported bosses soldiers sent in to
  break up strikes
• Number of armed uprisings brutally suppressed
• Growth in socialism

10
Foreign Policy (1)

• La France, sennuie (Lamartine)
• First chance at glory was Belgium
• LP reluctant to offer challenge to settlement of
  1815
• Worked closely with GB
• Safe but boring!

11
Foreign Policy (2)

• Support given to Mehemet Ali in his conflict with
  Turkey
• Other Great Powers opted to support Sultan so
  France left isolated
• MAs forces pushed out of Syria and was further
  punished
• Loss of face for the French

12
Foreign Policy (3)

• Guizot and the Spanish Marriages
• Plan was to unite French Spanish thrones
  through marriage of LPs son Spanish Infanta
• Plan failed through Queen producing heir
• Only result was to annoy Britain
• No support offered in 1848

13
Domestic Issues (1)

• Louis Philippe was king neither by divine right
  nor popular mandate
• Rise to power was carefully engineered compromise
  to restrain republicans to protect property
  owners from Bourbons
• Political frustration was one of key factors in
  fall of LP in 1848
• Never, never, will the time come for universal
  suffrage.

14
Domestic Issues (2)

• They may do what they like but they shall not
  prevent me from driving my own coach
• From May 1832 to October 1840 had no less than
  10 chief ministers
• Corruption used to control parliament
• Freedom of press curtailed journalists tried
  without juries

15
Domestic Issues (3)

• By 1847 economic social conditions in France
  attracting widespread interest
• Government unable or unwilling to address issues
• Labour relations poor much working class
  discontent
• Brutal force used by government to repress
  opposition

16
Domestic Issues (4)

• Between 1841 and 1845 some social legislation
  passed but not enough to satisfy demands for
  extension of the vote
• Bad weather led to poor harvests and caused
  rising food prices
• Bakeries food shops looted
• In towns businesses failed factories closed
  adding to the unemployed
• Series of government scandals now unfolded

17
Domestic Issues (4)

• Thiers introduced amendment to increase franchise
  rejected by Guizot
• Liberal opposition turned to external pressure
  the Reform Banquets
• Aim to share power, not take it from rulers
• Cancelled banquet led to spontaneous demo
• National Guard reluctant but actions sparked
  violent reaction
• King soon abdicated

18
Final Thoughts!

• 2nd attempt to establish constit monarchy had
  failed for more or less same reason as the first
• King determined to rule m/class who were
  largely excluded from political power were not
  prepared to accept this
• Working class roused by economic problems no
  support from m/class for LP