Decrees of the Provisional Government Relating to the Workingmen

Declaration

By: Provisional Government of France

Date: 1848

Source: J. H. Robinson, ed., Readings in European History. Boston: Ginn, 1906.

About the Author: The Provisional Government of France took control of the country in 1848 after the abdication of Louis Philippe. It was out of power by the end of the year.

INTRODUCTION

In 1848, revolutionary political and social theories combined with a severe economic crisis to produce a massive upheaval across Europe. Only Great Britain and Russia escaped untouched. Governments were toppled while monarchs and politicians fled. National independence, social reform, and liberal democratic constitutions suddenly seemed within reach. Yet, the revolutions of 1848 ultimately led to little change.

There were troubles throughout Europe in the 1840s. A civil war broke out in Switzerland, while the Poles attempted a revolution and the people of Naples, Italy, took up arms. In this climate, revolution was expected. It happened in France. Louis Philippe's monarchy had been categorized by inaction. Despite a clear need, the government produced no social reforms and preferred to cater to wealthy special interests. The government's refusal to consider electoral reforms heightened a sense of class injustice among middle class shopkeepers, skilled artisans, and unskilled working people. On the night of February 22, 1848, the revolt began in Paris when barricades went up. Two days later, Louis Philippe abdicated in favor of his grandson.

The common people no longer wanted a monarchy. They proclaimed a provisional republic, headed by a ten-man executive committee and certified by shouts of approval from the revolutionary crowd. The committee immediately set about drafting a constitution for France's Second Republic.

PRIMARY SOURCE

The provisional government of the French republic decrees that the Tuileries shall serve hereafter as a home for the veterans of labor.

The provisional government of the French republic pledges itself to guarantee the means of subsistence of the workingman by labor.

It pledges itself to guarantee labor to all citizens.

It recognizes that workingmen ought to enter into associations among themselves in order to enjoy the advantage of their labor.

The provisional government returns to the workingmen, to whom it rightfully belongs, the million which was about to fall due upon the civil list.

The provisional government of the French republic decrees that all articles pledged at the pawn shops since the first of February, consisting of linen, garments, or clothes, etc., upon which the loan does not exceed ten francs, shall be given back to those who pledged them. The minister of finance is ordered to meet the payments incidental to the execution of the present edict.

The provisional government of the republic decrees the immediate establishment of national workshops. The minister of public works is charged with the execution of the present decree.

SIGNIFICANCE

The 1848 upheaval held the promise of making France into the world's model for social advance. The Provisional Government reduced the working day in Parisian factories to ten hours and formed a commission to study labor problems. Slavery in the colonies was abolished while every adult male gained the right to vote. Political leaders spoke of guaranteeing the right to work and of adding a minister of labor to the cabinet. By the end of 1848, the proposals had been abandoned and most of the reforms repealed. French voters had favored moderate republicans over the radicals and a republican army had crushed the rebellious Parisian working class. The workers were left more bitter and frustrated than ever. In response, they supported the rise of Napoleon III, who was supposed to be a friend of the common man. Napoleon did enact a few reforms, but they came late in his reign and were relatively minor efforts. Major improvements for workers in France did not occur until the twentieth century.

The rest of Europe fared about as well as France. In March 1848, the Hungarians demanded autonomy from the Austrian Empire. In August 1849, Austrian and Russian forces defeated the Hungarian independence movement. In March 1848, Frederick William IV of Prussia was forced to agree to a liberal constitution. In December, the king disbanded the Prussian Assembly and granted the country a conservative constitution. In March 1849, he reasserted his royal authority. Overall, the moderate, nationalistic middle classes were unable to expand on their initial victories. Instead, they drew back when radical workers presented much more revolutionary demands. Radical change would not come for generations.

FURTHER RESOURCES

Books

Dowe, Dieter, ed., et al. Europe in 1848: Revolution and Reform. New York: Berghahn Books, 2001.

Smith, W.H.C. Second Empire and Commune: France, 1848–1871. New York: Longman, 1996.

Tacke, Charlotte, ed. 1848: Memory and Oblivion in Europe. New York: Lang, 2000.