History & the Novel

1. History & the Novel Democracy in Crisis? Key Timeline: Inter-war France

2. 1918 -20 • Government plans for major economic rebuild, based on reparations money. • Series of strikes break out, illustrating underlying tensions. • Element of PR introduced to the electoral system. • Right wing coalition Bloc National wins first elections on this basis – • but no government able to survive long. • Socialist Party splits, radical minority forming a new Communist Party . • French unions attempt a general strike but fails and ends in union splits • 1922-23 • Military invasion of the Ruhr following Germany’s reparations default • 1924-29 • Franc collapses - government forced to prop it up with loans. • Socialists ally with Radical-Socialist Party in the ‘Coalitions of the Left’ • Centre right National Union alliance formed • Catholic political party formed • Ultra right wing nationalist, fascist, & even royalist movements develop (like Croix de Feu). • Further economic crisis - New taxes and dramatic cuts in the government budget • President Poincare resigns after prolonged ill-health. • 1930-34 • Economic and social crisis & further political instability and unrest, with five governments between May 1932 and January 1934

3. 1934 • StaviskyAffair – corruption allegations undermine government & lead to fascist riots • 1936-39 • Popular Front wins the elections under leadership of Leon Blum - alliance of left-wing movements, including the French Communist Party, the Socialists and the Radical Party. • Initiates a range of social and economic reforms including a 40 hour working week, and two paid weeks holiday for workers (1936 Matignon Accords). • Quasi-fascist groups also ordered to disband. • Front hit by constant divisions between the various parties, particularly since communists refused to give full support to Blum. • Also hit by a series of strikes and factory occupations • Blum’s government collapses over divisions on economic policy, and the Spanish Civil War , Blum having failed to stand by the Spanish Republicans. Replaced by Radical leader Camille Chautemps then Édouard Daladier. • Political divisions in France widened even further in face of Hitler threat, with some claiming ‘Better Hitler than Blum’ • France reluctantly backs Britain in the Munich Conference, despite major misgivings about continuity of Appeasement • Following German invasion of Poland, France joins Britain in declaring War

4. 1940 • German Invasion of France - French forces outnumbered 2 to 1 & unable to resist, particularly after British withdrawal of troops at Dunkirk. • Prime Minister Reynaud resigned in disgust and new premier, former world war one hero Marshall Petain appointed. • Petain formally agreed armistice in June 1940 and set up new pro-Nazi Government in the South at Vichy. • Northern France then ruled under German Occupation whilst Vichy left autonomous – at least at first. • Resistance to Nazism and Vichy begins almost immediately in some areas. In others however, especially Vichy, widespread collusion with Nazis • 1942 • New ‘Free French’ government set up by de Gaulle in London. Helps give some direction to French Resistance • 1944 • As Normandy landings begin French resistance steps up internal opposition • By August Paris finally liberated as the German commander ignored Hitler’s demand to ‘reduce Paris to a heap of rubble’ and instead opted for unconditional surrender • De Gaulle returns to France a hero and takes temporary control of government • Recriminations and revenge attacks begin – with government largely ignoring it.