France

Syd, Rachel, Kelsey, and Caroline

There were three key leaders of France

during this time period:

Georges Clemenceau Leon Blum Charles de Gaulle

Leaders

• We will be focusing on Georges Clemenceau

but here is some quick information on Blum and de Gaulle

• Leon Blum: first Socialist (and the first Jewish) premier of France, presided over the Popular Front coalition government in 1936–37

• Charles de Gaulle: dominant political leader and grand figurehead of France during and after World War II

Quick Background

Background: Early Years

Born: September 28, 1841 in Mouilleron-en-Pareds, France

Grew up with strong republican views, father was a firm supporter of 1848 Revolution

Spent 73 days in prison after he and a bunch of other students published Le Travail, got in more trouble after publishing Le Matin

Georges Clemenceau

After finishing medical studies,

moved to New York Impressed by political freedom

enjoyed by United States citizens Worked as a schoolteacher in

Connecticut and eventually married one of his former students

Returned to France in 1869 and became doctor in Vendée

Background (cont.)

• 1870: Moved to Paris and became involved

in radical politics• 1871: Elected as Radical Republican deputy

in National Assembly• Voted against German peace terms,

became involved in the Paris Commune• 1876: Re-elected to National Assembly and

became leader of the Radical Republicans• 1902: became senator and 4 years later,

became minister of home affairs

Rise to Power

• 1907-10: Became France’s Prime Minister• WWI: Refused office as justice minister under the

French prime minister• 1917: Re-elected as France’s Prime Minister • Became Minister of War in the government• Versailles Peace Conference: clashed with Wilson

and George, wanted harsh consequences for Germany and had many demands– Able to restore Alsace and Lorraine to France– However, rejected by French electorate in 1920

because of failure to meet other demands

Rise to Power (cont.)

“Radical Republican” and anti-

monarchist Similar to Robespierre Known as “The Tiger” because of

aggressive debating style Regarded as a destroyer of ministries;

his published works caused even the most powerful political leaders to fear him

Firm in law, separated church and state

Leadership Style

• As right-wing nationalist, he suppressed

popular strikes and demonstrations• Hostile to Socialists and Trade Unionists• As a leader, clamped down on dissent

and senior politicians calling for peace • In 1920s, his stubbornness on an issue

caused the downfall of French government

• Brought his country to historic victory, only to be defeated himself

Leadership Style (cont.)

During his later years, Clemenceau

continued to write He was working on his memoirs

when he died in Paris on November 24, 1929 of natural causes

He was 88 years old

Death

Achieved many things while serving as firm, aggressive

prime minister:– forged closer ties with Britain and settled the

Moroccan crisis– worked to revive French morale in the country at large– persuaded the Allies to agree to a unified military

command under Ferdinand Foch– Presided with authority over Paris Peace Conference

and helped write Treaty of Versailles– Returned Alsace and Lorraine (territory constantly

fought over by France and Germany) to France Known as “the statesman who has deserved his world-

wide reputation and who has done so much for the cause of the Allies.”

Legacy

At beginning of 1920s, French government in strong

position Congress of Tours in 1920: socialist party was split

into the French Communist Party and Radical-Socialist Party

Allied victory over Germany and the restoration of Alsace-Lorraine to France had placed France as one of the strongest powers in Europe

France established elaborate system of border defenses called the Maginot Line and alliances like the Little Entente, to offset resurgent German strength

Postwar Status and Impact:1920s

Impact of Reparations from Treaty of Versailles

Because of Clemenceau’s aggressiveness , Germany was blamed for WWI, was held accountable for the cost of war and lost many territories

For Germany, the Treaty signaled the beginning of a period of isolation for Germany- was feared and distrusted by Allies

This all had significant impact on the role that Germany would, and potentially could, play in European and World affairs in the early post war climate

Could argue that impact of reparations was factor in causing WWII

1920s (cont.)

Kellogg-Briand Pact:

agreement, signed Aug. 27, 1928, condemning “recourse to war for the solution of international controversies”

In June, 1927, Aristide Briand, foreign minister of France, proposed to the U.S. government a treaty outlawing war between the two countries

Frank B. Kellogg, the U.S. Secretary of State, returned a proposal for a general pact against war, and after prolonged negotiations the Pact of Paris was signed by 15 nations

Positive Impact in Interwar World

1920s (cont.)

1935: Concerned by emergence of Hitler in Nazi

Germany, a group of left-winged politicians led by Leon Blum formed the Popular Front

Blum, Jewish leader of the Socialist Party, became Prime Minister of France in 1936

While leading: left-wing in open revolt against the government and a growing economic crisis

Later campaigned for France to end its nonintervention policy

On March 13, 1938 Blum returned to power as prime minister, but on April 10 Blum's government fell and he was replaced

Postwar Status and Impact: 1930s

Great Depression effect on France:

Drastic effects on the local economy, but stronger than most countries

Absence of large companies made modernization impossible

Workers could do no more than reduce their working hours to try and jumpstart the economy

France had negative impact in the Interwar World

1930s (cont.)

Matching

1. Who was the 1st Jewish Premier and presided over Popular Front coalition government from 1936 – 1937– E

2. Who was the dominant political leader during and after WWII– F

3. Who was born in 1841 and lived in the US for some time– C

4. In what year did Georges Clemenceau become Prime Minister for the 1st time– D

5. Who did Georges Clemenceau clash with at the Paris Peace Conference• B

A. 1917B.Woodrow WilsonC.Georges ClemenceauD.1907E. Leon BlumF. Charles de Gaulle

1. Georges Clemenceau’s leadership style was to

similar to ? .– Robespierre

2. Georges Clemenceau was known as the ? due to his aggressive debating skills.– “Tiger”

3. Clemenceau was working on his ? when he died in 1929 of natural causes.– Memoirs

4. Clemenceau restored ? to France after the Paris Peace Conference.– Alsace and Lorraine

5. Clemenceau became Prime Minister for the 2nd time in ? .– 1917

Fill in the Blank

• Duffy, Michael. “Who’s Who – Georges Clemenceau.”

firstworldwar.com. N.p., 22 Aug. 2009. Web. 24 Mar. 2011.• "Georges Clemenceau." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia

Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011. Web. 24 Mar. 2011.

• "Georges Clemenceau." Encyclopedia of World Biography. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 24 Mar. 2011.

• “Georges Clemenceau.” Spartacus Educational. www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2011

• STONE, JUDITH. "Georges Clemenceau." Europe 1789-1914: Encyclopedia of the Age of Industry and Empire. Ed. John Merriman and Jay Winter. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2006. Gale Biography In Context. Web. 24 Mar. 2011.

• Trueman, Chris. “Georges Clemenceau.” History Learning Site. Historylearningsite.co.uk, 2000 – 2011. Web. 24 Mar. 2011.

Works Cited