Although the

Three Glorious Days The French Revolution of 1830, also known as the July Revolution (), Second French Revolution, or ("Three Glorious ays), was a second French Revolution after the first of 1789–99. It led to the overthrow of King Charles X, the French B ...

were primarily the result of the efforts of many dedicated Republicans, the liberals succeeded in establishing a second constitutional monarchy at the expense of the Republicans. The favored the liberal bourgeoisie, who were better organized to establish a new regime and opposed the establishment of a republic. Consequently, the Republicans resumed their opposition to a regime they did not support.

Republicans at the dawn of the July Monarchy

Disappointment with the new regime

Following the

July Revolution The French Revolution of 1830, also known as the July Revolution (), Second French Revolution, or ("Three Glorious ays), was a second French Revolution after French Revolution, the first of 1789–99. It led to the overthrow of King Cha ...

of 1830, known as the Three Glorious Days, France experienced widespread revolutionary enthusiasm. New political societies emerged, and existing ones from the

Bourbon Restoration Bourbon Restoration may refer to: France under the House of Bourbon: * Bourbon Restoration in France (1814, after the French revolution and Napoleonic era, until 1830; interrupted by the Hundred Days in 1815) Spain under the Spanish Bourbons: * Ab ...

period were revitalized. Notable groups included the , the Society of Human Rights, and the Society of the Constitution. The Society of the Friends of the People was particularly prominent, opposing King

Louis-Philippe I Louis Philippe I (6 October 1773 – 26 August 1850), nicknamed the Citizen King, was King of the French from 1830 to 1848, the penultimate monarch of France, and the last French monarch to bear the title "King". He abdicated from his thron ...

's rise and advocating for a republic. Universities formed leagues to address illiteracy, and on September 21, 1830, a crowd gathered to commemorate the

Four Sergeants of La Rochelle The Four Sergeants of La Rochelle ( French: ''Quatre sergents de La Rochelle'') were a group of French soldiers who plotted to overthrow the French monarchy of the Bourbon Restoration. Sergeants Bories, Pommier, Gobin and Raoulx were associates o ...

, executed in 1822. The revolution inspired European movements, including the

Belgian Revolution The Belgian Revolution (, ) was a conflict which led to the secession of the southern provinces (mainly the former Southern Netherlands) from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands and the establishment of an independent Kingdom of Belgium. The ...

against Dutch rule, Polish resistance to Russian control, and Italian unification efforts. While absolutist regimes viewed France's revolutionary momentum with concern, liberals in Europe and the United States, which planned a commemoration of the

Treaty of Paris (1783) The Treaty of Paris, signed in Paris by representatives of King George III of Kingdom of Great Britain, Great Britain and representatives of the United States on September 3, 1783, officially ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized ...

, initially welcomed the establishment of a monarchy perceived as responsive to popular aspirations, though this optimism soon faded. Benjamin Constant

Expectations that the

July Monarchy The July Monarchy (), officially the ''Kingdom of France'' (), was a liberalism, liberal constitutional monarchy in France under , starting on 9 August 1830, after the revolutionary victory of the July Revolution of 1830, and ending 26 Februar ...

would embody republican ideals, as described by

Adolphe Thiers Marie Joseph Louis Adolphe Thiers ( ; ; 15 April 17973 September 1877) was a French statesman and historian who served as President of France from 1871 to 1873. He was the second elected president and the first of the Third French Republic. Thi ...

as a "republic disguised as a monarchy," quickly faded. King

Louis-Philippe Louis Philippe I (6 October 1773 – 26 August 1850), nicknamed the Citizen King, was King of the French from 1830 to 1848, the penultimate monarch of France, and the last French monarch to bear the title "King". He abdicated from his throne ...

's symbolic gestures, such as awarding "July medals" to participants of the

, failed to quell growing discontent. By September 1830,

François Guizot François Pierre Guillaume Guizot (; 4 October 1787 – 12 September 1874) was a French historian, orator and Politician, statesman. Guizot was a dominant figure in French politics between the July Revolution, Revolution of 1830 and the Revoluti ...

, the new Minister of the Interior in the Cabinet of Jacques Laffitte, initiated arrests for "inciting hatred against the king," targeting some medal recipients. Republicans viewed the 1830-elected chamber as illegitimate, with the rejecting it as contrary to their revolutionary principles. Despite some republican-supported reforms, such as abolishing hereditary peerage, the chamber passed repressive laws reminiscent of the 1820s, including censorship and restrictions on associations, prompting student strikes in protest. At

Benjamin Constant Henri-Benjamin Constant de Rebecque (25 October 1767 – 8 December 1830), or simply Benjamin Constant, was a Swiss and French political thinker, activist and writer on political theory and religion. A committed republican from 1795, Constant ...

's funeral in 1830, Republican leader

Ulysse Trélat Ulysse Trélat (13 August 1828, Paris – 28 March 1890) was a French surgeon remembered for describing the Leser–Trélat sign. He was the son of an Army physician, also named Ulysse Trélat (1795–1879). He received his education fro ...

declared the July Monarchy an adversary, signaling their commitment to continue the struggle. La Fayette, instrumental in

's rise to the throne during the

, grew disillusioned with the regime. Recognizing this, Louis-Philippe and his ministers pressured La Fayette to resign as head of the National Guard, which he did on December 27, 1830. The subsequent resignation of

Jacques-Charles Dupont de l'Eure Jacques-Charles Dupont de l'Eure (; 27 February 17673 March 1855) was a French lawyer and statesman. He is best known as the first head of state of the Second Republic, after the collapse of the July Monarchy as a result of the French Revolut ...

as Minister of Justice marked a significant split between Orléanists and Republicans. Soon after,

Armand Marrast Armand Marrast (June 5, 1801, Saint-Gaudens, Haute-Garonne, Saint-Gaudens–March 10, 1852, Paris) was a French journalist, politician and List of mayors of Paris, mayor of Paris. Editor of ''La Tribune'' (1830-35) and ''Le National'' (from 1836), ...

and Cavaignac, supported by the newspaper '' Le National'' and the ''Aide-toi, le ciel t'aidera'' society, formed new republican associations to counter potential legitimist threats and assert Republican influence. The Republican movement was divided on strategy: figures like

Étienne Cabet Étienne Cabet (; January 1, 1788 – November 9, 1856) was a philosopher and utopian socialist who founded the Icarian movement. Cabet became the most popular socialist advocate of his day, with a special appeal to artisans who were being under ...

Philippe Buchez Philippe-Joseph-Benjamin Buchez (March 31, 1796–August 11, 1865), more commonly called Philippe Buchez, was a French historian, sociologist, and politician. He was the founder of the newspaper ''L'Atelier'', and he served briefly, in 1848, as th ...

, Marrast, and Garnier-Pagès favored political opposition, while Cavaignac,

Jules Bastide Jules Bastide (; 22 November 1800, in Paris, France – 2 March 1879) was a French politician, journalist and writer. Lawyer and revolutionary Bastide studied law for a time, and was afterward engaged in business as a timber merchant. In 1821, h ...

, and

Étienne Arago Étienne Vincent Arago (9 February 1802 – 7 March 1892) was a French writer and politician, and co-founder (with Maurice Alhoy) of the newspaper ''Le Figaro''. Early life Arago was born in Perpignan, the youngest of the four Arago brothers. ...

supported insurrection. Republican agitation manifested in events like the trial of

Charles X Charles X may refer to: * Charles X of France (1757–1836) * Charles X Gustav (1622–1660), King of Sweden * Charles, Cardinal de Bourbon (1523–1590), recognized as Charles X of France but renounced the royal title See also * * King Charle ...

's ministers, where an unexpected life imprisonment verdict, contrary to Republican expectations of execution, sparked a brief, suppressed uprising. Further unrest, including the sacking of

Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois The Church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois () is a medieval Roman Catholic church in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, directly across from the Louvre Palace. It was named for Saint Germanus of Auxerre, a medieval bishop of Auxerre, who became a papal ...

during anti-Carlist protests, contributed to the collapse of the Laffitte ministry, which was succeeded by the under

Casimir Pierre Périer Casimir-Pierre Périer (11 October 1777 16 May 1832) was a French banker, mine owner, political leader and statesman. In business, through his bank in Paris and ownership of the Anzin Coal Co. in the Department of Nord, he contributed signifi ...

Casimir Périer vs. the Republicans

Casimir Périer Casimir is a Latin version of the Polish male name Kazimierz (). The original Polish feminine form is Kazimiera, in Latin and other languages rendered as Casimira. It has two possible meanings: "preacher of peace" or alternatively "destroyer of p ...

summarized his political stance with a single phrase: "At home, order without sacrifice to liberty; abroad, peace without cost to honor." His position toward the Republicans soon became clear. Initially, Périer sought to reassure them by passing electoral reform, but he quickly opposed their proposal to remunerate deputies. In 1831, deputies were unpaid for their mandates, which allowed the government to control modest representatives by offering them civil service positions. A notable example was Paul Dubois, director of ''

Le Globe ''Le Globe'' was a French newspaper, published in Paris by the Bureau du Globe between 1824 and 1832, and created with the goal of publishing Romantic creations. It was established by Pierre Leroux and the printer Alexandre Lachevardière. Aft ...

'' and a former

Carbonari The Carbonari () was an informal network of Secret society, secret revolutionary societies active in Italy from about 1800 to 1831. The Carbonari may have further influenced other revolutionary groups in France, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Urugua ...

, who was offered a high-ranking administrative position and was ultimately "neutralized" by the regime. The went even further in its repression, declaring an administrative purge. All deputies who had joined republican associations formed during the July Monarchy were dismissed. Key republican officeholders, including prosecutors, judges, and mayors, were removed from their positions.

Odilon Barrot Camille Hyacinthe Odilon Barrot (; 19 July 1791 – 6 August 1873) was a French politician who was briefly head of the council of ministers under king Louis Phillipe in 1848–49. Early life Barrot was born at Villefort, Lozère. He belonged ...

and

Alexandre de Laborde Comte Louis-Joseph-Alexandre de Laborde (; 17 September 1773 – 20 October 1842) was a French antiquary, liberal politician and writer, a member of the The Académie des Sciences morales et politiques is one of five learned societies that make u ...

resigned, the former from the Seine prefecture and the latter from the Seine prefecture and Laborde from the .

Eugène Cavaignac Eugene is a common male given name that comes from the Greek language, Greek εὐγενής (''eugenēs''), "noble", literally "well-born", from εὖ (''eu''), "well" and γένος (''genos''), "race, stock, kin".Georges Weill, republican publications, especially ''

La Tribune () is a French weekly financial newspaper founded in 1985 by Bruno Bertez. Its main competitor is the French newspaper '' Les Échos'', which is currently owned by LVMH. From 1993 to 2007, was part of LVMH. In 2010, Alain Weill, the chair ...

,'' faced constant lawsuits. Périer’s government also sought to weaken key republican leaders, culminating in the so-called Trial of the Nineteen. The Minister of Justice prosecuted nineteen Republicans, including Cavaignac, Guinard, Marrast, Trélat, and

Bastide Bastides are fortified new towns built in medieval Languedoc, Gascony, Aquitaine, England and Wales during the 13th and 14th centuries, although some authorities count Mont-de-Marsan and Montauban, which was founded in 1144, as the first bastides ...

—accusing them of exploiting unrest during the to incite a riot. However, their defense proved highly effective. The three republican lawyers, including Louis Michel, delivered arguments that allowed the acquaintance of all nineteen, prompting ovations from the courtroom. The first

Canut revolt The Canut revolts () is the collective name for the major revolts by Lyonnais silk workers () which occurred in 1831, 1834 and 1848. They were among the first well-defined worker uprisings of the period known as the Industrial Revolution. The Fi ...

in Lyon in 1831 energized the Republican opposition, highlighting the need to advocate for workers' rights, including those of the proletariat. Building on the momentum of the 1830

, Republicans established educational committees and free schools, challenging the traditional authority of the State and Church over education.

founded the Association pour l'instruction gratuite du peuple (Association for the Free Education of the People), and

Lazare Carnot Lazare Nicolas Marguerite, Comte Carnot (; 13 May 1753 – 2 August 1823) was a French mathematician, physicist, military officer, politician and a leading member of the Committee of Public Safety during the French Revolution. His military refor ...

revived an earlier educational society.

, then Minister of Education, responded to the Republicans' growing influence by passing an education law in 1833. Republicans also began producing publications for workers in 1831, inspired by English Methodists, with support from

Saint-Simonians Claude Henri de Rouvroy, Comte de Saint-Simon (; ; 17 October 1760 – 19 May 1825), better known as Henri de Saint-Simon (), was a French political, economic and socialist theorist and businessman whose thought had a substantial influence on po ...

. However, ideological differences led to a split with the Saint-Simonians, who did not prioritize a republican regime. In November 1831,

published ''Péril de la situation présente'' in support of the Canuts and, in 1833, founded ''Le Populaire'', a newspaper focused on workers' issues, alongside

, both prominent advocates for the working class. The successes of the Republican movement prompted

to escalate measures against them. In January 1832, the "Trial of the Fifteen" targeted key members of the . Similar to the previous year's "Trial of the Nineteen," the trial served as a platform for Republican oratory.

and particularly

François-Vincent Raspail François-Vincent Raspail, L.L.D., M.D. (; 25 January 1794 – 7 January 1878) was a French chemist, naturalist, physician, physiologist, attorney, and socialist politician. Biography Raspail was born in Carpentras, Vaucluse. A member of the ...

challenged the government with compelling speeches, with Raspail highlighting France's social inequalities, noting that two-thirds of its 32 million people were starving. Despite Raspail's two-year prison sentence and a 1,000-franc fine, his words resonated widely in the republican press, the Chamber of Deputies, and universities. The Republicans were encouraged by this, and Périer's death from the 1832 cholera epidemic was viewed as an opportunity for a government more aligned with popular demands.

Direct opposition to the Orléanists

Insurrection of 1832

On May 22, 1832, thirty-nine opposition deputies, including Republicans and liberals dissatisfied with the

, met at

Jacques Laffitte Jacques Laffitte (24 October 1767 – 26 May 1844) was a leading French banker, governor of the Bank of France (1814–1820) and liberal member of the Chamber of Deputies during the Bourbon Restoration and July Monarchy. He was an important fi ...

’s residence to issue the ''Compte rendu des 39'' (Report of the 39). Intended to outline the left-wing opposition’s goals, the manifesto instead criticized the July Monarchy, describing the

as a "wasted effort" and advocating for a republic as the only legitimate government. Signed on May 28, the report significantly impacted the political landscape, boosting Republican confidence. The death of young Republican

Évariste Galois Évariste Galois (; ; 25 October 1811 – 31 May 1832) was a French mathematician and political activist. While still in his teens, he was able to determine a necessary and sufficient condition for a polynomial to be solvable by Nth root, ...

in a duel further galvanized the movement, with his June 2 funeral serving as a platform to discuss potential uprisings. Amid rising ultra-royalist activity, exemplified by the , the death of General

Jean Maximilien Lamarque Divisional-General Jean Maximilien Lamarque (22 July 1770 – 1 June 1832) was a French army officer and politician who served in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Lamarque served with distinction in many of Napoleon's campaigns, an ...

from the 1832 cholera epidemic intensified Republican resolve. They organized a procession on June 5 to honor Lamarque and commemorate Polish nationalists killed in their fight against Russian rule. On June 5, 1832, a procession in Paris honoring the death of General

turned violent when some participants attempted to spark a republican insurrection, known as the

June Rebellion The June Rebellion, also called the Paris Uprising of 1832 (), was an anti-monarchist insurrection of Parisian republicans on 5 and 6 June 1832. The rebellion originated in an attempt by republicans to reverse the establishment in 1830 of t ...

. The uprising gained initial support from elements of the National Guard, threatening to destabilize the city. King

responded swiftly, rallying his troops to restore order. The rebellion weakened when the authors of the ''Compte rendu des 39'' shifted their focus from republicanism to demanding reforms within the

, and key republican leaders, including La Fayette, either withdrew or faced arrest. By June 6, the royal army quelled the uprising, and the monarchy, refusing concessions to leaders like

, emerged victorious. The crackdown angered Republicans, notably

Alexandre Auguste Ledru-Rollin Alexandre Auguste Ledru-Rollin (; 2 February 1807 – 31 December 1874) was a French lawyer, politician and journalist who emerged as one of the leaders of the French Revolution of 1848. He served as Minister of the Interior and on the Executi ...

, who criticized the irony of a regime born from the 1830 barricades now suppressing similar protests. The insurrection's origins remain debated, with some attributing it to

Éléonore-Louis Godefroi Cavaignac Éléonore-Louis Godefroi Cavaignac (30 May 18015 May 1845), better known as Godefroi Cavaignac, was a French politician and journalist. He was born in Paris, the eldest son of Jean-Baptiste Cavaignac and the brother of Louis-Eugène Cavaignac, ...

of the , acting independently, possibly aiming to install

Napoleon II Napoleon II (Napoléon François Joseph Charles Bonaparte; 20 March 181122 July 1832) was the disputed Emperor of the French for a few weeks in 1815. He was the son of Emperor Napoleon I and Empress Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma, Marie Louise, d ...

. Others point to the Société Gauloise de Deschapelles as a key organizer, based on police reports.

Arrival of Thiers

Following the

of 1832, the French government, facing significant unrest, dissolved the after a trial where

criticized Article 291 of the Penal Code for restricting freedom of association, arguing it was vital for addressing social issues. In October 1832,

, appointed Minister of the Interior, intensified efforts to curb Republican activities. Leveraging his experience from clandestine networks during the

, Thiers initiated over 300 lawsuits against republican publications, notably targeting ''

'', edited by

, and ''Le Populaire'', edited by

, which had a circulation of 27,000. The government imposed fines exceeding 215,000 francs on the republican press, a significant amount at the time. In response, Republicans formed associations to defend press freedom, asserting that the press, rather than the limited electorate, represented the majority of the population and urging support to cover fines. Armand Carrel 1

The Republican opposition, supported by the newly formed Comité d'Action Central de Paris, organized into five specialized committees to coordinate their efforts. The Inquiry Committee, led by

, and

Joseph Guinard Joseph-Auguste Guinard (1799–1874) was a French politician. He was elected as a deputy to the Constituent Assembly in 1848 through 1849. In the Constituent Assembly, Guinard caucused with the Mountain party The Mountain Party, also known ...

, investigated government restrictions on press freedom. The Legal Defense Committee, headed by

, managed court defenses for Republicans. The Relief Committee, under Louis-Marie de Lahaye Cormenin, raised funds for imprisoned Republicans and their families. The Legislation Committee, led by

Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette, Marquis de La Fayette (; 6 September 1757 – 20 May 1834), known in the United States as Lafayette (), was a French military officer and politician who volunteered to join the Conti ...

Armand Carrel Jean-Baptiste Nicolas Armand Carrel (8 May 1800 – 25 July 1836) was a French journalist and political writer. Early life He was born at Rouen. His father was a wealthy merchant, and he received a liberal education at the '' Lycée Pierre Co ...

, and

Étienne Joseph Louis Garnier-Pagès Étienne Joseph Louis Garnier-Pagès (December 27, 1801June 23, 1841) was a French politician, born at Marseille. Soon after his birth his father Jean Francois Garnier, a naval surgeon, died, and his mother married Simon Pagès, a college profe ...

, addressed legislative issues. The Central Press Committee, directed by Voyer d’Argenson and

, oversaw republican press activities. Supported by the ''Aide-toi, le ciel t'aidera'' society and the , the successor to the , the committee appointed regional coordinators—Cabet for the East,

for the South, Garnier-Pagès for the North, and Berrier-Fontaine for the West—to strengthen provincial republican newspapers. These efforts led to the revival of newspapers like one in Puy-de-Dôme by Trélat, ''Le Patriote de Juillet'' in Toulouse by Jacques Joly, and ''Le Patriote de la Côte-d’Or'' by Cabet. In November 1833, workers, closely aligned with Republican associations, organized a strike, which Republican leaders supported.

, backed by his deputies, allowed the strike to falter due to insufficient provisions, forcing workers to resume work. This event prompted Thiers,

, and Victor de Broglie to escalate their crackdown on Republicans in 1834.

1834

In early 1834,

, as Minister of the Interior, introduced a law requiring peddlers to obtain state authorization to distribute printed materials, limiting a traditional source of information for France’s largely illiterate population, who relied on peddlers to read newspapers and share almanacs. This restriction triggered significant opposition, notably in Lyon, where silk workers (canuts) struck for a month, and in Nantes, where republican associations demanded universal suffrage for electing deputies. On February 22, 1834, a new law banned unauthorized associations, except for artistic, religious, or literary groups, targeting republican organizations and workers’ mutual aid societies. The law sparked widespread protests, with workers singing ''

La Marseillaise "La Marseillaise" is the national anthem of France. It was written in 1792 by Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle in Strasbourg after the declaration of war by the First French Republic against Austria, and was originally titled "". The French Na ...

'' and chanting republican slogans, and was broadly criticized, except by Orléanists, as overly repressive. Thiers’ measures appeared designed to provoke a republican reaction that could justify further crackdowns. Republican leaders were divided, with some advocating confrontation and others urging caution to avoid entrapment, while the movement’s unity was weakened by the fragmentation of numerous local associations. On April 9, 1834, the trial of canut leaders involved in the February uprising in Lyon began, drawing 6,000 demonstrators in support of the accused. Tensions escalated when soldiers fired on an unarmed crowd during defense attorney

Jules Favre Jules Claude Gabriel Favre (21 March 1809 – 20 January 1880) was a French statesman and lawyer. After the establishment of the Third Republic in September 1870, he became one of the leaders of the Moderate Republicans in the National Assemb ...

’s plea, triggering the Massacre of the Rue Transnonain in Paris and prompting nationwide republican protests. Although seditious plans in western France and the Jura were abandoned, the government responded with widespread arrests, detaining over 2,000 republican suspects across the country and conducting extensive house searches. The republican press, including figures like

, faced severe censorship, with Marrast imprisoned at Sainte-Pélagie and

continuing resistance through '' Le National'' before going into exile in England. The 1834 legislative elections yielded mixed results for Republicans, who lost seats but saw ideologically aligned figures like

and

elected. In October 1834, the Chamber of Peers was designated a high court to try the 2,000 arrested suspects in what historian

Pierre Larousse Pierre Athanase Larousse (; 23 October 18173 January 1875) was a French grammarian, lexicographer and encyclopaedist. He published many of the outstanding educational and reference works of 19th-century France, including the 15-volume . Early ...

later called the "Monster Trial."

Trial and the period of decline

Initiatives

By late 1834, the Republican movement faced decline due to weak leadership and ineffective communication. In May 1835, the trial of the April 1834 insurgents, known as the "Monster Trial," began, with Republicans attempting to use it for propaganda. However, their efforts faltered as they were labeled

Jacobins The Society of the Friends of the Constitution (), renamed the Society of the Jacobins, Friends of Freedom and Equality () after 1792 and commonly known as the Jacobin Club () or simply the Jacobins (; ), was the most influential List of polit ...

, alienating the bourgeoisie, who took steps to prevent Republican gains. Despite this, the court issued lenient sentences to avoid escalating tensions. Of the 2,000 defendants, 121 were convicted, with 43 tried in absentia. Most received multi-year prison terms, while some were acquitted or deported, and no death penalties were imposed to prevent creating republican martyrs. Following the "Monster Trial" of May 1835, the Republican movement weakened further, as the bourgeoisie distanced itself and public opinion increasingly viewed Republicans as agitators. On July 28, 1835, during a military review commemorating the

’s anniversary, an explosive device detonated at 50 Boulevard du Temple, despite warnings of potential assassination attempts. The royal family escaped unharmed, but General

Mortier {{otheruses Mortier was an organ manufacturer from Antwerp, Belgium that made dance organs and orchestrions. History The company was founded by Theophile Mortier (1855–1944). Mortier started in 1898 as a vending agent for the Parisian organ ...

and 17 others were killed. The attackers, identified as

Giuseppe Marco Fieschi Giuseppe Marco Fieschi (13 December 1790 – 19 February 1836) was a Corsican mass murderer, and the chief conspirator in an attempted assassination of King Louis-Philippe of France on 28 July 1835. The attack on the King and his entourage, ...

and two accomplices tied to the , were tried, sentenced to death, and executed on February 19, 1836. The attack significantly harmed the Republican movement’s public image.

Reorganization

During the

, the Republican movement diversified, with socialist ideologies gaining prominence. Thinkers like

Louis Blanc Louis Jean Joseph Charles Blanc ( ; ; 29 October 1811 – 6 December 1882) was a French Socialism, socialist politician, journalist and historian. He called for the creation of cooperatives in order to job guarantee, guarantee employment for t ...

and

Louis Auguste Blanqui Louis Auguste Blanqui (; 8 February 1805 – 1 January 1881) was a French socialist, political philosopher and political activist, notable for his revolutionary theory of Blanquism. Biography Early life, political activity and first impris ...

shaped these ideas, though their approaches differed. Blanc advocated for social democracy and universal male suffrage, while Blanqui rejected electoral politics, favoring land collectivization. Despite a shared aim to overthrow the July Monarchy, Republicans and socialists were divided, with many Republicans opposing a social republic. By the 1840s, the Republican movement was weakened by internal divisions among socialists, neo-communists, and moderates, and while secret societies proliferated, their impact remained limited. Key disputes focused on the right to work and government involvement in social issues, with moderates rejecting intervention and radicals, inspired by the

Canut revolts The Canut revolts () is the collective name for the major revolts by Lyonnais silk workers () which occurred in 1831, 1834 and 1848. They were among the first well-defined worker uprisings of the period known as the Industrial Revolution. The Fi ...

, advocating for linking government authority with social reform. After the banning of

’s ''La Tribune des départements'', new Republican publications emerged, including

’s ''La Revue du Progrès'' in 1839 and ''La Réforme'' in 1843, founded by

Louis-Eugène Cavaignac Louis-Eugène Cavaignac (; 15 October 1802 – 28 October 1857) was a French general and politician who served as head of the executive power of France between June and December 1848, during the French Second Republic. Born in Paris to a promi ...

, and

Victor Schœlcher Victor Schœlcher (; 22 July 1804 – 25 December 1893) was a French abolitionist, writer, politician and journalist, best known for his leading role in the End of slavery in France, abolition of slavery in France in 1848, during the French Secon ...

. These outlets advocated for male suffrage and freedom of association, rights curtailed by the April 10, 1834, law. Republicans also contributed to '' Le National'', associated with

, to promote republican ideals among the petite bourgeoisie. In 1839, a Republican insurrection, led by radicals

and

Armand Barbès Armand Barbès (18 September 1809 – 26 June 1870) was a French Republican revolutionary and an opponent of the July Monarchy (1830–1848). He is remembered as a man whose life centers on two days: * ''12 May 1839'', the day of the upris ...

and organized by the Jacobin-inspired , attempted to overthrow the

. Poorly coordinated, the revolt failed to capture Paris’s city hall, and its leaders were quickly arrested. In 1841, Republicans, alongside legitimists, supported rural riots opposing Finance Minister

Georges Humann Jean-Georges Humann (6 August 1780 – 25 April 1842) was a French financier and politician. During the July Monarchy (1830–1848) he was several times Minister of Finance. Early years Jean-Georges Humann was born in Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, on 6 ...

’s plan to reassess the portes et fenêtres tax, claiming

’s government sought to reinstate Ancien Régime taxation and increase tax burdens. During the legislative elections of 1839, several republican deputies, including

Louis-Antoine Garnier-Pagès Louis-Antoine Garnier-Pagès (16 February 1803 – 31 October 1878) was a French politician and active freemason who fought on the barricades during the revolution of July. Garnier-Pagès was born in Marseille. He served as a member of t ...

François Arago Dominique François Jean Arago (), known simply as François Arago (; Catalan: , ; 26 February 17862 October 1853), was a French mathematician, physicist, astronomer, freemason, supporter of the Carbonari revolutionaries and politician. Early l ...

, and

Hippolyte Carnot Lazare Hippolyte Carnot (6 October 1801, Saint-Omer – 16 March 1888) was a French politician. He was the younger brother of the founder of thermodynamics Sadi Carnot and the second son of the revolutionary politician and general Lazare Nico ...

, were elected to the Chamber of Deputies. In subsequent elections, around ten republicans gained seats. The growing acceptance of republicans was partly influenced by evolving historiography, with intellectuals like

Jules Michelet Jules Michelet (; 21 August 1798 – 9 February 1874) was a French historian and writer. He is best known for his multivolume work ''Histoire de France'' (History of France). Michelet was influenced by Giambattista Vico; he admired Vico's emphas ...

and Louis Blanc working to dissociate the French Revolution from the Reign of Terror.

Republican resurgence

Actions toward a new revolution

In the late 1830s and early 1840s, France faced economic hardship due to poor harvests, the collapse of railroad speculation, and

’s conservative policies. These factors contributed to the country’s last major famine, triggering food riots and widespread unrest. The government’s adherence to laissez-faire principles and refusal to intervene exacerbated the crisis. Amid growing discontent, Republicans gained renewed political prominence. François Guizot’s government alienated rural populations through policies such as the 1844 hunting permit requirement, perceived as undermining rights established since the French Revolution of 1789 and evoking fears of a return to Ancien Régime practices. Although the February 1848 insurrection was primarily driven by Parisians, the lack of rural counter-revolts contributed to the legitimacy of the new republican regime.

Banquets: A lethal weapon

In early 1847, opposition Republicans and liberals organized political banquets to discuss reforms, initially supporting moderate change within the July Monarchy. The first banquet, held in Paris on July 9, 1847, featured

addressing 1,200 attendees. As the campaign expanded, with approximately 70 banquets held across cities like Autun, Dijon, and Toulouse, Republicans gained prominence, overshadowing the Dynastic Opposition, which favored reform while remaining loyal to the monarchy. Discussions increasingly focused on social issues, including workers’ conditions and, in some cases, socialist ideas. At a Valenciennes banquet, attendees toasted “the abolition of misery through labor.” Prominent figures such as Alphonse de Lamartine, Louis Blanc, and Marie, who invoked “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” in Orléans, participated. By January 1848, support for fundamental freedoms largely replaced loyalty to the monarchy. Republicans used these events to mobilize the petite and middle bourgeoisie, though radicals like Ledru-Rollin opposed bourgeois Orléanist involvement, advocating for a purely republican revolution.

Revolution

In February 1848, the Guizot government faced mounting opposition. On February 17, conservative deputies proposed moderate reforms, which Guizot rejected. Amid the ongoing political banquet campaign, Guizot banned a planned banquet in Paris’ 12th arrondissement on February 21, intensifying Republican resolve for revolution. On February 22, approximately 3,000 demonstrators protested against the July Monarchy and Guizot, marching toward the Chamber of Deputies. Despite the King’s confidence in his 30,000-strong army, tensions escalated on February 23 when soldiers of the 14th Line Regiment fired on a crowd at Boulevard des Capucines, killing 50 people. This violence fueled further unrest. On February 24, insurgents seized armories, and Louis-Philippe, unwilling to escalate bloodshed, lost control of Paris. Unlike the 1830 Revolution, which led to a constitutional monarchy, Republicans took decisive action. As the bourgeoisie sought to form a new government, Republicans stormed the Palais Bourbon, establishing a

provisional government A provisional government, also called an interim government, an emergency government, a transitional government or provisional leadership, is a temporary government formed to manage a period of transition, often following state collapse, revoluti ...

. Alphonse de Lamartine proclaimed the Second Republic, ending the July Monarchy.

Republican ideology under the July Monarchy

Beyond the supporters of the

Republic A republic, based on the Latin phrase ''res publica'' ('public affair' or 'people's affair'), is a State (polity), state in which Power (social and political), political power rests with the public (people), typically through their Representat ...

, the republican movement in 1830 also included

socialists Socialism is an economic and political philosophy encompassing diverse economic and social systems characterised by social ownership of the means of production, as opposed to private ownership. It describes the economic, political, and socia ...

, and

Bonapartists Bonapartism () is the political ideology supervening from Napoleon Bonaparte and his followers and successors. The term was used in the narrow sense to refer to people who hoped to restore the House of Bonaparte and its style of government. In ...

. Following the February 1848 Revolution, which established the

Second French Republic The French Second Republic ( or ), officially the French Republic (), was the second republican government of France. It existed from 1848 until its dissolution in 1852. Following the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterlo ...

after over three decades of monarchy, many progressive Orléanists and

Legitimists The Legitimists () are royalists who adhere to the rights of dynastic succession to the French crown of the descendants of the eldest branch of the House of Bourbon, Bourbon dynasty, which was overthrown in the 1830 July Revolution. They reject ...

supported the new republic, welcoming the fall of the July Monarchy. Historian

Maurice Agulhon Maurice Agulhon (20 December 1926 – 28 May 2014) was a French historian, specializing in the contemporary history of France of the 19th and 20th centuries, and professor at the Collège de France from 1986 to 1997. Although his early work focu ...

termed them "Republicans of the day after," distinguishing them from "Republicans of the day before," who had long advocated for a republic. Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte's collaboration with monarchists during the Second Restoration ended the tentative alliance between Bonapartists and Republicans. This alignment weakened the Napoleonic legend, which had depicted

Napoleon I Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...

as a figure tied to the French Revolution. Following the

June 1848 events June is the sixth and current month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars—the latter the most widely used calendar in the world. Its length is 30 days. June succeeds May and precedes July. This month marks the start of summe ...

, the abandonment of a social republic caused a lasting split within the republican movement, dividing democratic-socialists, who supported a social republic, from moderates, who favored a conservative republic. This ideological divide continued into the Third Republic, where radicals and opportunists often clashed, particularly over colonial policy.

References

Bibliography

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * {{Cite book , last=Weill , first=Georges , url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/ahess_0003-441x_1929_num_1_3_1111_t1_0448_0000_5 , title=Histoire du parti républicain en France (1814-1870) , date=1928 , publisher=

Félix Alcan Felix Mardochée Alcan (March 18, 1841 – February 18, 1925) was a French Jewish publisher and scholar, born in Metz. He was the grandson of Gerson Lévy, author of ''Orgue et Pioutim'', and son of Moyse Alcan, a well-known publisher at Metz. ...

, isbn= , series= , location=Paris , language=fr , trans-title=History of the Republican Party in France (1814-1870) , archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524072351/https://www.persee.fr/doc/ahess_0003-441x_1929_num_1_3_1111_t1_0448_0000_5 , archive-date=May 24, 2021 Defunct political parties in France People of the July Monarchy