1871 - The Paris Commune Flashcards
What was the Paris commune a culmination of?
Culmination of insurrectionary introduction of the French Revolution.
When was the Paris commune?
1871.
What happened in 1848?
The overthrow of louis Philipe I.
What happened in 1830?
The overthrow of Charles X (small revolution) and installation of citizen king Louis.
What does Eley say?
the ‘forging of democracy’ was an act of people as a political factor.
Argues democracy created in EU because of the will/consent and act of the people.
What is meant by people as a political factor?
People were a real force in 19thc.
There is a move away definitely from age of crowns, monarchs and authority asserted by divine rights/position in society that depends on rank/birth order.
What was the Communist manifesto in 1848?
Refers to the rallying cry, a call to arms.
Articulates a political idea that is about claims of those at bottom of heap and demand they should be treated fairly.
Depends in part in articulation of new kind of politics, a kind that couldn’t exist in any form if no new belief the at people should have a pol voice.
Spectre of communism, revolutionary action from below haunts EU.
Is the 1817 Paris Commune an example of action from below?
Yes.
The working people of Paris taking their problems into own hands and tearing down old structures.
1870-71 Germany defeats France. A vacuum opened up as the empire of Louis collapsed. France surrenders on conditions of abject humiliation, war ends, and a provisional government is set up under Thiers.
18th march - Paris set up military defence, soldiers mutiny when ordered to remove cannon from Montartre in Paris.
No premeditates so it was a spontaneous event. The commune was declared, 92 elected member, city governed by communal council.
The Commune was not an elaborate political doctrine. It represented itself as both work of people, working people and new set of political ideas that will deliver support/material benefit to the many.
What was the Communards Programme?
Abolished conscription and the standing army – conscription effects most commonly poor abled bodied men, wealthy men can find legal exemptions.
Intervened in salaries (established max salaries), rent (max rents), debts (widows, children money to help husbands killed in actions)
Provided pension to all decedents of national guardsmen killed in action.
Separate church and state, nationalise church property (even though not much left after revolution).
Was the Commune a turning point?
Yes. It was the first attempt to legislate and reorder society in favour of those on bottom.
It had a lasting impact:
Anarchists – freedom fundamental as equal
Society look to redistribute wealth throughout states, anarchists want to abolish the state.
The fame, renown of commune spreads though out the world. Commune revered by everyone on left.
Red flag – refers to blood spilt on barricades, symbol of the commune.
What does the ‘murder of Paris’ refer to?
Martyrs are killed by those of the states from Paris forcibly retaken by states.
The Luxemburg gardens –mass French executions.
Government troops marched and are resisted in a week of fighting.
What was the human cost of the repression?
40000 arrested, 12500 put on trial, c10000 found guilty.
Lots of death, too many to really estimate.
What does the commune closedown?
Commune closes down revolution option for time being, in response to repression leads to reorganizational activity, exploring legal alternatives, mass politics, new parliaments.
Federation of society worker of France founded 1879. Structure of trade union (push for rights of worker in work place, represent rights, health and safety) and socialist parties.
What did WEU and USA enter?
An era of mass politics, when people are a political factor (by casting votes) both left/right have to speak lang of the people to gain support/consent to them being in power.
How did the right use anti-clerical violence?
Anticlerical violence in the Commune
1871 archbishop of paris and 4 priests are shot in La Roquette prison
iconoclasm was common.
This worked into hands of the right of who argue for the protection of not only religion but also order/harmony.
Defence of order articulated by right in the aftermath of the commune.
