Growth of French Democracy

1. Growth of French Democracy Ms. Ramos Alta Loma High School

2. The Revolution of 1848 Second Republic • 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 • Era known as Second Republic; First Republic existed between French Revolution, reign of Napoleon • Revolution of 1848 had far-reaching effects: ensured all adult men had right to vote, fueled new women’s rights movement, inspired other European revolutions Birth of a Republic The economic troubles and general unhappiness simmered until 1848. Then revolution exploded again and another republic was born. Ms. Ramos

3. Reforms New Constitution • Period became known as Second Empire • Napoleon III made reforms such as increasing voting rights but always kept absolute power as emperor • Ruled during time of economic prosperity • Built many miles of railroads, helped increase trade and improved communications in France • French constitution allowed president to serve four years • Louis Napoleon wanted to remain in office • 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 Napoleon III and the Second Empire Ms. Ramos

4. Draw Conclusions Why did the French elect Louis Napoleon as their president? Ms. Ramos

5. Draw Conclusions Why did the French elect Louis Napoleon as their president? Answer(s): possible answer—because of his famous name and family legacy Ms. Ramos

6. Dreyfus Evidence • 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 • Dreyfus humiliated in public ceremony, uniform stripes removed, sword broken • Evidence suggested another, non-Jewish, officer may have been spy, but found not guilty in court • Dreyfus not cleared until 1906 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 Ms. Ramos

7. 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 • Effects • Many political groups united into two—those for Dreyfus and those against • Theodor Herzl began Zionism movement, called for re-creation of a Jewish state in original homeland • 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 Ms. Ramos

8. Identify Cause and Effect What were two major effects of the Dreyfus affair? Ms. Ramos

9. Identify Cause and Effect What were two major effects of the Dreyfus affair? Answer(s): polarized the French into two groups; inspired Theodor Herzl to begin the movement called Zionism, with the objective of creating a Jewish state in Palestine Ms. Ramos