The Third French Republic

In the years from 1871 to 1914, France saw many social changes, economic and cultural, under the new government of the Third Republic. France experienced the modernization of its rural areas, the centralization of the state, and the emergence of a mass media culture. Furthermore, internationally France was heavily involved in the European race to imperialize in Africa and Asia. political participation in the international arena, which at the time was heavily involved in the race for imperial expansion in Africa and Asia.

The Third French Republic was established in September of 1870, after Napoleon III's Second Empire suffered a humiliating defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. Immediately after the rise of the Third Republic, there was a brief stint of revolutionary rule by the Paris Commune, which lasted from March to May of 1871. The Paris Commune, which was simply the city council of Paris, was able to accumulate great power through the support of Parisians; Many Parisians were unhappy with the National Assembly's handling of the defeat in the Franco-Prussian War as well as its handling of other national concerns. Between the months of March to May 1871, the Paris Commune worked to "institute a regime of virtue a la Robespierre," while neglecting to consolidate its power.

And by May 1871, the National Assembly, led by Adolphe Thiers, successfully liquidated the Commune and re-established rule in the hands of Thiers. Thiers became the President of the French Republic, which lasted all but two years. During these two years, Thiers was able to guide France into paying off its war indemnities and consequently restored France "to a position of equality among the powers." However in 1873, Thiers was forced to resign ...

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...any records of being a spy. After Dreyfus' imprisonment, evidence surfaced that pointed to the true culprit, yet the army resisted in reopening the case. Eventually, Dreyfus was acquitted thanks to the media, which investigated, proved, and publicized his innocence to the entire French nation. The Boulanger Case and Dreyfus Affair were significant events that marked the emergence and power of mass media in France.

In early years of the 20th century leading up to1914, France's political climate was the most stable as it had ever been since 1871. During the years of 1871 to 1914, France's foreign policy was, for the most part, dominated with matters concerning imperialism. It is important to recognize that France's desire to expand overseas stemmed not only from the general expansionary climate among the Great Powers but also from the domestic conditions.