That policy was embodied in the following legislative measures: (1) the Emigres (the members of the nobility who had left France during the revolution) were to receive a billion francs (indemnite du Milliard) as a compensation for the sale of their estates which had been sold for the benefit of the state. (2) Certain crimes of a religious character (the stealing of sacred church vessels), were to be punished by death. (3) Abroad, supported by the policy of the Holy Alliance, France under took the Spanish expedition in order to over come the revolt of the Spaniards against the absolutism and despotism of their king and to restore the latter to his full power.
In spite of the conquest of Algiers (1830) the Ultras who had not yet realized that their policy was contrary to the new French spirit sealed their doom when, in July 1830, they allowed Charles X (who had succeeded his brother in 1824) to sign the famous Ordon nances de Juillet as follows: (1) Dissolution of the Chamber of Deputies, newly elected, be cause it had liberal aspirations. (2) Suppres sion of the liberty of the press. (3) Altera tion of the electoral laws in favor of the rich citizens. (4) New election to take place in the following September.
It was really a coup d'etat, a violation of the constitutional charter, which was imme diately answered by a revolution in Paris. After three days' fighting, Charles X, an obstinate unintelligent king who had not understood in the least the spirit of -the French people, had to leave not only his throne but his country, and seek refuge in England.
This short revolution did not end in the establishment of the republic, but it strength ened forever the sovereignty of the nation through a constitutional government. Another dynasty, that of the Orleans, who were cousins of the former king, was called to the throne, and Louis Philippe, when ascending the throne, was made to pledge himself to respect the new amended constitutional charter.
He was not the king of France, as the former kings were, but the king of the French, which meant that he had been freely elected by the French people, and that there was no divine right attached to the throne. Louis Philippe was a kind of liberal Bourgeois; he leaned entirely upon the middle-classes, thereby alienating both the aristocratic party and the lower classes. As regards the foreign policy under his reign, he made an alliance with England, to ensure peace on a durable basis; the Entente Cordiale dates from Louis Philippe; his Prime Minister Guizot, the famous French historian, being the main supporter of that policy. As regards the
manufacturing industries the reign of Louis Philippe was marked by an unprecedented de velopment which created or rather expanded immensely the proletariat and the power of the poorer classes.
In fact, the latter started that socialistic movement which was extraordinarily intensi fied during the third republic and whose loud and sometimes brutal protests ended suddenly, — only for a time,--- on the very eve of the great European War, when Taures was murdered by a lunatic. The socialistic theories, preached mostly by Saint-Simon, Fourier, Proudhon and Louis Blanc, were however strongly opposed by the Guizot cabinet. Once more the re publicans, allied to the socialists, brought about a revolution in Paris and dethroned the king who — history repeats itself —had to seek refuge in England (1848).
A republican government was established for the second time in the history of France. It was, however, a government of short dura tion, and before a really democratic govern ment, i.e., the third and present Republic, was established. France was to suffer such a catas trophe and to be taught such a lesson as are likely never to be forgotten.
A nephew of Napoleon, Prince Louis Na poleon, was elected President of the Republic: This choice may appear to be preposterous; the reason was that there was a reactionary move ment of the Monarchists and of the Bona partists against the Republicans themselves.
The fear of a fresh revolution was directed against the republican government (which for a few weeks was only a Gouvernement Pro visoire, consisting of the famous French poet Lamartine, and Garnier-Pages, Arago, Ledru Rollin). The Socialists and the working classes were very exacting. Many riots broke out in Paris. Monarchists and Bonapartists hoping that Louis Napoleon might serve their own pur poses elected him President of the republic for a period which according to the new constitu tion was to last four years.
Louis Napoleon, however, served only his own purpose. As he had not the right to be elected at the expiration of four years, he asked the Legislative Assembly to change the constitution so that he might be re-elected. The Assembly, however, did not accept this amendment, and that is the reason why it was dissolved by the coup d'etat of 2 Dec. 1851; about 100 deputies were exiled, a new consti tution was drawn up admitting universal suf frage, and Louis Napoleon, appealing through a plebiscite to the people, succeeded in having himself proclaimed emperor of the French people under the name of Napoleon HI. He reigned until 1870.