Rising of October 31st, 1870

The rising of October 31st, 1870 took place with Paris and aimed at protesting against the military policy of the Gouvernement of National defense.

Causes

The Parisian ones are exasperated by the defeat undergone in Le Bourget on October 30th. Parisian franc-tireurs succeeded in on October 28th seizing the village of Le Bourget, near Paris, in spite of the surrounding of the capital by the German troops. The Gouvernement of National defense does not send reinforcements to try to open a brêche in the enemy force (either it estimates that the offensive does not have any chance of success, or it wishes not to prolong military operations). 3.000 men will resist until October 30th the ramming of Prussian artillery. They leave 1.200 dead on the battle field. Part of Parisian show the government to have organized the defeat.

Moreover, since October 27th, the government contradicts the rumors of the capitulation of the French Army, almost intact, of the marshal Bazaine encircled in Metz. The Parisian ones feel betrayed. Trochu will not recognize the fact that in the day under the pressure of crowd.

Lastly, the Parisian ones have wind of the pourpalers Thiers-Bismarck and inclinations of armistice on behalf of the government.

Unfolding

October 31st in the morning, the dissatisfied ones come especially from the popular quarters with the Parisian East, gather place of the Town hall. At the beginning of afternoon, in spite of the speeches of Arago, then mayor of Paris and the Trochu General chair government, the demonstrators occupy the Town hall, where seat the government. They are reinforced by riflemen brought by Gustave Flourens. In the disorder one discusses to form a new government. Flourens climbs on the table of the Council and claims the constitution of a Committee of Public Hello. During this time Raoul Rigault and a few hundreds of men seize the Police headquarter.

But the movement seems been unaware of remainder of Paris. Picardy, Ferry and Trochu, members of the government, are able to escape, gather faithful battalions of the National guard and mobile Guard, and direct them towards the Town hall. With 3:00 of the morning, confusion is total. Jules Favre remained with the demonstrators promises municipal elections and ensures that there will be no reprisals. In spite of the promise the arrests begin a few days later. November 3rd, the government made plébicister its action by the Parisian voters (there are 557.996 for and 61.638 against).

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