France: the Third Republic and its domestic policy

In the last quarter of the 19th century France fell from second to fourth place in the world in industrial output. The reasons: it remained a country of small producers, natural resources were scarce, the war cost 13 billion francs in damage and 5 billion francs were paid to Germany (the indemnity was paid off in 1873 and German troops left). Investors also preferred sending capital abroad for higher interest, which limited domestic production. In politics supporters of monarchy and of the republic struggled; attempts to restore the monarchy failed. The 1875 constitution of the Third Republic kept the presidency and set up a two-chamber parliament (Chamber of Deputies and Senate); the president was elected for 7 years by a joint session of both chambers, and the government answered to parliament. Soon afterwards “La Marseillaise” became the anthem (1879) and 14 July the national holiday (1880); freedom of press and assembly were declared, but women were not given the vote.