FRANCE. The French Revolution. by the im pulse that it gave to the growth of democracy, introduced political parties in Continental Eu rope. (For the revolutionary parties in France, see the articles FEUILLANTS ; GIRONDISTS ; JACO BINS.) With the Restoration there appeared the two monarchist parties—the Constitutional Monarchists and the Ultra Royalists, (See CH A MIRE NTROUVARLE. ) There were also the Doctrinaires. Republicans, and Bonapartists. With the accession of the House of Orleans in the person of Louis Philippe, French parties under went a readjustment. The existing monarchy was opposed by Legitimists, who sought the return of the elder Bonibon line: Bonapartists, who would have restored the Napoleonic regime; and Repub licans. The Orleanist monarchy was overthrown. apparently by the Republicans (see FEBRUARY REVOLUTION), the Bonapartists became domi nant after the coup d'etat of December 2, IS51. (See NAPOLEON III.) From 1852 to 1860 the Emperor exercised almost autocratic power, and politics were dormant so fat' as popular parties and parliamentary life were concerned. Later he lost the support of the Catholic clergy by his Italian policy. and was compelled to turn more to the Liberals. He thus reopened the active political life of France. Republicans. Orleanists, and Legitimists at once formed an Opposi tion. Parliamentary action was renewed. A Liberal Imperialist party supported the Emperor, but opposed his Ministers. Upon this party Napoleon depended to maintain the Empire against the Royalist and Republican coalition in 1S69-70. The French defeat in 1870-71 (see FRANCO-GERMAN WAR) the Empire and presented the Republicans their opportunity. When the Third Ripublic rose upon the ruins of the Second Empire. the Republicans. although a minority party. found themselves in control of affairs through the lack of harmony among their opponents. Each of the three monarchical par ties—Legitimists, and Bonapartists recognizing its own inability to control the situa tion. was willing to have the Republicans tempo rarily in power. hoping that the next turn of the political wheel would bring in its own par ticular type of monarchy. In the first National Assembly the Royalists and Bonapartist. made up the reaetionary Right and, united. were in a majority. while the Republicans themselves were made up of numerous and often discordant groups. There were the Extreme I,eft, which bad few members, but a large following the Assembly: the Left. by tar the largest group: and the conservative Left Centre. wide]) gra ually gained supporters antnng the nr constitutional monarchists of the Right Centre.
'niers ;q.v.). the first President. was a consti tutional monarehist who regarded the Republic as a political necessity. The Ministry was a eonservative one made up from the Left Centre. The acceptance of this moderate leadership was an encouraging sign, but all unity disappeared as soon as the German occupation ended. The radical strength in the Chamber increased. and in response to its demands the Ministry was modified. The united Right was able to pass a vote censuring the change in the Ministry. and Thiers resigned. whereupon Marshal MacMahon q.t-.) was elected President as the (Inundate of the Right f 18731. Ile at first appointed a coali tion Cabinet front the three monarchical parties. The Right was united only in opposition to the Republicans, and the groups of the Left likewise united solely for the purpose of opposing the Government. NaeMahon's term of office was made seven years (the so-called septennate). For a year anti a half the different aims of the fac tions on both sides of the Assembly prevented action on the Constitutional Laws. In June, 1875. fearing the growth of the Imperialist strength. some of the constitutional monarchists united with the Left to secure the passage of the laws.
The Assembly created by the new Constitution consisted of a Senate and a Chamber of Deputies. The Constitutional Laws recognized the sover eignty of the people. represented in the Chamber of Deputies, and established the right of public meeting, the liberty of the press. and universal suffrage. The Republicans, with a large majority in the Chamber. forced the fighting. They were divided into the Left- Centre. Republican Union (the largest group, led ity Clambetta 1 , and the Radical Left. The Monarchists, adopting a con servative attitude. were grouped as Right Centre, Right. and Popular Appeal. iNlaeMahon in 1876 made up a Ilini-dry from the Left Centre. at first under Dufaure (q.v.). later under :Jules Simon (q.v.). In IS77, after a year of struggle against radical measures. acting under the advice of his conservative friends. dismissed the Simon Ministry, adjourned the Chamber. and then. with the consent of the Senate, dissolved it. The Conservatives then sought to intremli them selves in the Government through the power given to the President and Senate by the Constitutional Laws, but the President had by his course opened a bitter struggle which destroyed any possibility of harmony. The Republicans won the elections.