After the Franco Prussia was was finished following the Battle of Sedan, people in Paris saw that they had a chance to BREAK with France and it's new Third Republic (remember, 2nd empire comes to an end after franco prussian war) Red Posters(red is the color of the PEOPLE, of revolution, of challenge to the status quo) are hung throughout the city. They will create a commune (Communards) of folks in Paris who want to transform France into a federation of separation city like states. Leaders of the Paris Commune came from groups like socialists, Jacobins(REMEMBER THEM!) and even republicans who wanted Paris to be a capitol of secular, and clerical government. Lots of the revolutionaries thought Louis Blanqui and his ideas of national workshops were great. In fact, many things they accomplished in it's short history were 1. A labor exchange. Unemployd workers could go to the city and find out about jobs. 2. NO MORE NIGHT BAKING! Think about how important this would be. Bakers would have more free time because they wouldn't have to bake all night long preparing bread for the market. 3. Nurseries for mothers who could find work were created. These nurseries would afford women the opportunity to seek employment because their children could now be cared for. women gained many rights and clubs were started all throughout Paris supporting this idea. Overall, the Paris Commune was PEOPLE driven. The people would govern and the govt would serve to help the people. 

 

The Prussian military and the new Republican govt surround the city. Many starve. Finally, a few months after the end of the Fracno prussia war the army is sent it to BREAK the commune. Lots of communards executed. Communards will retaliate by executing prisoners, too. Many on the LEFT political see the Paris commune as the FIRST successful(albeit super temporary) proletarian revolution. Conservatives hated it seeing it as revolutionary activity which will reaffirm their goal of stopping the people. 

 

THIRD republic born in 1871. ******* It starts off super conservative, gradually moves to the center, and then by 1899 it becomes radical. ****People in France, especially conservatives, will maintain the idea that Alsace Lorraine had been stolen by Germany. This idea will be a rallying cry for revenge against Germany