{"id":2156,"date":"2013-02-04T17:03:31","date_gmt":"2013-02-04T21:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/guidedhistory\/?page_id=2156"},"modified":"2013-05-01T20:00:08","modified_gmt":"2013-05-02T00:00:08","slug":"kate-conroy-voza","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/guidedhistory\/moderneurope\/kate-conroy-voza\/","title":{"rendered":"Protests in France: The French Revolution and Modern Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Protests<\/span> in France<\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

The French Revolution and Modern Times<\/span><\/h2>\n

By: Kate Conroy<\/span><\/h2>\n

Introduction:<\/span><\/h3>\n

When we think of protesting, we think of picket signs, violent cops, and people yelling and chanting. Speaking out against the government or any institution is a very modern idea. But when we think of protests in France, we first think of the French Revolution. The French Revolution was possibly the most important even in the history of France. Besides that, though, there are so many protests that have gone on that are significant to France’s history, protests that have happened quite recently and are even happening now. Students, workers, and citizens of all groups have risen against the French government for centuries, and riots are getting more and more popular. The French are known for their fiery personalities, so here we will explore some of their most outspoken moments.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Note: click on photos to enlarge them<\/p>\n

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The Storming of the Bastille<\/span> (1789)<\/span>:<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Bastille has had many names and been used for many different things. It is mostly known as a prison, used by Louis XIV, who locked up anyone who opposed him, and then it became a state\u00a0penitentiary. It was a symbol of tyranny in France. During the time of the French Revolution, ammunition and gunpowder were stored in the Bastille. The Gardes Fran\u00e7ais led a mob of nearly a thousand people to storm the Bastille. More of the rebels were killed than anyone else, but the Bastille surrendered, and the building was transformed into a symbol of victory.<\/p>\n

(Dalberg-Acton )<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

(“Week” )<\/p>\n

The French Revolution is taught in classrooms everywhere. There’s even a musical about it. But how much do you know about what’s been going on recently? Let’s discuss more current events.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Revolutionary Riots<\/span> (1968)<\/span>:<\/span><\/h3>\n

In May of 1968, students and workers alike in Paris joined together to riot in the streets. It was started by a group of students, \u00a0but the protests became very popular. Many other groups of people joined in, with no specific ethnicity, culture, or age group making up the majority, which is why it was so revolutionary. The strikes grew to include ten million workers in France, at which point General Charles de Gaulle, a cruel president, sent the military to deal with it. Members of the\u00a0Union Nationale des Etudiants de France (National Union of Students in France) and university professors marched to protest against the police. The students demanded that criminal charges be dropped of all those arrested. They wanted a complete reform of the\u00a0bourgeois. The police weren’t the only violent ones, though. Students put up barricades and threw cobblestones at police officers. The riots died down by June, but they had a long-lasting impact.<\/p>\n

(Poggioli May 13, 2008)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

(DeFraia 2012)<\/p>\n

Here, you can listen to NPR’s report on the riots<\/a>.\u00a0(Poggioli May 13, 2008)<\/p>\n

(“1968: Workers join Paris student protest” )<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

University Reform<\/span> (1986)<\/span>:<\/span><\/h3>\n

In 1986, students rioted again for three weeks. The protesting got so violent, over 200 students were injured, and one student, Malik Oussekine, age 22, was beaten and kicked in the head by police and died of a heart attack. Prime Minister Jaques Chiriac was forced to drop a very controversial university reform bill. Students were protesting because this reform bill would raise tuition by $125 per year, abolish state diplomas, and allow universities to be selective about its students, in opposition to its current system of operation in which a person with an academic diploma can attend any university he or she chooses.<\/p>\n

(Nundy December 09, 1986)<\/p>\n

Student Protests<\/span> (1994)<\/span>:<\/span><\/h3>\n

In 1994,\u00a0Prime Minister Edouard Balladur proposed a decree that allowed businesses to pay young employees less than the minimum wage. Students protested for three weeks, causing an uproar in a dozen French cities. 200,000 students marched in Paris and cities all over France for their rights to a proper paycheck. Eventually, Prime Minister Balladur was forced to back down, as the public was obviously not behind him, and elections were coming up in May of 1995.<\/p>\n

(Riding 1994)<\/p>\n

High School Reform and Labor Laws<\/span> (2005 – 2006)<\/span>:<\/span><\/h3>\n

In 2005, education minister Francois Fillon dropped his education reform plan after student and teacher protests.\u00a0President Jacques Chirac wanted to entirely turn around the education system.<\/p>\n

The sign below reads “Stop, we will not be a youth sacrifice.”<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

(“History of French protests” 2006)<\/p>\n

In 2006, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin proposed a decree that would allow businesses to fire young employees within the first two years of employment without reason. De Villepin argued that it would give employers flexibility, and it would encourage them to hire more young people. Protesters shouted, “Villepin, you’re toast \u2014 the students are in the streets!”\u00a0These protests got very violent, especially in Rennes.<\/p>\n

(“Students protest France’s new labor law” 2006)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

(DeFraia 2012)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

(“Students protest France’s new labor law” 2006)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n

(“In pictures: French protests” 2006)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pension Reform<\/span> (2010)<\/span>:<\/span><\/h3>\n

In 2010, President Nicolas Sarkozy attempted to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62 and raise the age of eligibility for a full pension from 65 to 67 to save the government money. Workers went on strike in Paris, shutting down the Eiffel Tower and the Charles de Gaulle airport and Orly for days. Over 200 protests and marches were organised all over France.<\/p>\n

(Keller 2010)<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n

(Pratta )<\/p>\n

In the end, Sarkozy won the battle, the pension reform bill was approved, and the retirement age and full pension age were raised by two years.<\/p>\n

(Erlanger 2010)<\/p>\n

Gay Rights <\/span>(Current)<\/span>:<\/span><\/h3>\n

Over the past decade or so, gay rights has been a very controversial topic. Very recently, protests in France have been particularly prominent.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

(“Femen stages topless gay rights protest in Vatican (PHOTOS)” 2013)<\/p>\n

As of Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013, France is the fourteenth country and the most highly populated country to legalize gay marriage.<\/p>\n

“We believe that the first weddings will be beautiful and that they’ll bring a breeze of joy, and that those who are opposed to them today will surely be confounded when they are overcome with the happiness of the newlyweds and the families,” said\u00a0Justice Minister Christiane Taubira.<\/p>\n

(Hinnat et al. 2013)
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<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n