A. Plan of Investigation
The plan is to investigate the role the Algerian War of Independence had on the fall of the French Fourth Republic in 1958. I will focus first on the effects of World War II, the Three Parties Alliance, and decolonization on the fourth republic. Then, I will look at the discontent caused in the government by the Algerian War, the National Liberation Front (FLN), and the French army. Finally, I will look at the May Crisis of 1958 and the roles of Jacques Massu, Jacques Soustelle, and Charles de Gaulle in the fall of the fourth republic and the creation of the fifth. For my sources, I will evaluate Alistair Horne's A Savage War of Peace and Patricia Lorcin's Algeria & France, 1800-2000: Identity, Memory, Nostalgia.
B. Summary of Evidence
The French Fourth Republic lasted from 13 October 1946 to 5 October 1958, succeeding the Third Republic after the fall of France in World War II. After the war, Charles de Gaulle led the Provisional Government of the French Republic (GPRF). The Gaullist party and communism became the most popular parties, having worked diligently during the Resistance. (McNeill) The former political class of the Third Republic had been discredited by their compliance with the Nazis during World War II. The Three Parties Alliance, the Tripartisme, which consisted of the French Communist Party (PCF), the French Section of the Workers’ International (SFIO), and the Popular Republican Movement (MRP), supported a parliamentary system, whereas de Gaulle supported a presidential system. This difference of opinions caused a conflict in the party, and he resigned in January 1946. (Bernstein) In the 1946 elections, the Tripartisme won an absolute majority in the Constituent...
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...n, Serge. The Republic of De Gaulle, 1958-1969. London: Cambridge Publishing Press,
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Horne, Alistair. A Savage War of Peace: Algeria 1954-1962. New York: New York Review
Book, 2006.
Kesselman, Mark. European Politics in Transition. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company,
2009. Print.
Lorcin, Patricia. Algeria & France, 1800-2000: Identity, Memory, Nostalgia. Syracuse, NY:
Syracuse Publishing Press, 2006. Print.
McNeill, Tony. From Fourth to Fifth Republic. The University of Sunderland, 01 Nov 1999.
Web. 30 Nov 2010.
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Berkley, CA: University of California Press, 1982. Print.
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History, 18: 489–511, 1994.
The French occupation is a confrontation between exported modernity and an old regime: the French revolutionaries and their dominance over the Ottoman social order that is markedly different in contrast; and, al-Jabarti reports on how it transfers cross-culturally. Levels of contestation, open and/or secretive acceptances give way to losses and gains driven by high emotion – even for this writer. He “describes very carefully every step in the negotiation of the organization of society, from administration to inheritance, from property to charity or from justice to deliberation.”
Algeria had revolted against the French colonies many times, but did not succeed with overthrowing them. Under the French rule
To summarize the book into a few paragraphs doesn't due it the justice it deserves. The beginning details of the French and Ind...
De Conde, Alexander. The Quasi-War: The Politics and Diplomacy of the Undeclared War with France
Beginning in mid-1789, and lasting until late-1799, the French Revolution vastly changed the nation of France throughout its ten years. From the storming of the Bastille, the ousting of the royal family, the Reign of Terror, and all the way to the Napoleonic period, France changed vastly during this time. But, for the better part of the last 200 years, the effects that the French Revolution had on the nation, have been vigorously debated by historian and other experts. Aspects of debate have focused around how much change the revolution really caused, and the type of change, as well as whether the changes that it brought about should be looked at as positive or negative. Furthermore, many debate whether the Revolutions excesses and shortcomings can be justified by the gains that the revolution brought throughout the country. Over time, historians’ views on these questions have changed continually, leading many to question the different interpretations and theories behind the Revolutions effectiveness at shaping France and the rest of the world.
French occupation of Haiti began in the mid seventeenth century. For the next century and a half, the people of Haiti were forced to abandon their livelihoods and instead take up residence on namely sugar, indigo or cacao plantations in order to generate exports for the French market. Conditions on these plantations were often so cruel and oppressive that the common cause of death was exhaustion. No longer able to yield to the terms of their exploitation, Haitians participated in a string of slave revolts, the most prominent of which was led by Toussaint Louverture from 1791, which paved the road for Haitian emancipation. This essay will advance the idea that colonialism has impeded the political stability of Haiti during the nineteenth century, particularly from when Haiti formally declared independence in 1804. It will cover how issues such as; despotism, conflicting economic institutions, the militarization of the political system and racial supremacy, have negatively affected nineteenth century Haitian politics. Moreover, it will also elaborate on how these issues are, in effect, actually insidious derivatives of French rule during pre-independent Haiti.
Baker, Charles A. “Review: Two Views of Vichy France, ” The French Review, Vol.51, No. 5, American Association of Teachers of French, (April 1978), pp. 763-764
For several months, France was at peace. The insurrection began on 1 November 1954. The insurrection precipitated the fall of the Fourth Republic. Charles de Gaulle, hero of the Second World War, became President of France in 1958, and was intent on securing a political solution to the insurrection, rather than one based on force. His efforts were largely successful in avoiding a civil war in France, and ending the insurgency - although it took four years to do so. It has been estimated that more than a million Algerians died in the insurrection.2
France had to declare bankruptcy after the American Revolution--war and debt helped bring down the monarchy. King, in 1787, called the Estates General, an assembly of noblemen buried since 1614. Thus the Revolution becan with an aristocratic attempt to recapture the state. "Men born and live free and equal under the law." Not democratic, but constitutional. The King was not King of France, but King of the French!!
As almost anyone with the slightest knowledge of European history can tell you, the French and the British do not like each other. Some French and British people still hate each other today for issues that occurred 100 of years ago. So on top of the conflict that is already present between France and Great Britain there is a new one in the pursuit of gaining more land and power for one’s cou...
Government, one of the greatest concepts of mankind since learning how to live together as a community. Government was designed to give order and to represent the people in their quest for happiness. When a government works well the majority of its citizens are satisfied with what the government is doing, but what happens when the government fall short of satisfying the basic needs of its citizens? When the current government fails a new one is the cry of its people. In many countries change is accomplished by a revolution. In France the National Assembly cried for revolution from its oppressive King and the Ancien Regime. They wanted to improve human rights. They wanted an improved economy and religious reform like the American Revolution. This is an argument that the French Revolution failed.
The immediate causes of the French Revolution were that the Estate-General had to convene. Increasing political pressure and being faced with the total collapse of its finances, the Old Regime began to unravel. Almost immediately tempers arose regarding voting procedures in the upcoming Estates-General. ...
... voted into the new republic. “France was a republic, but one now in the hands of an assembly dominated by conservatives, many of whom were monarchists”7.
Each social class in France has its own reasons for wanting a change in government. The aristocracy was upset by the king’s power, while the Bourgeoisie was upset by the privileges of the aristocracy. The peasants and urban workers were upset by their burdensome existence. The rigid, unjust social structure meant that citizens were looking for change because “all social classes.had become uncomfortable and unhappy with the status quo.” (Nardo, 13)
The French Revolution, which occurred from 1789 to 1799, was a time where the monarchy was overthrown, a republic was formed, and limits were put on the church. The French Revolution ended with the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799. The French Revolution created France’s legislative assembly, which is still in place today. Many would argue that the Enlightment was a cause of the French Revolution, but the Enlightment was not one of the main drivers for the Revolution. The bad living conditions, France’s monarchy, and the involvement in the American Revolution and other wars caused the French Revolution.