France: the Third Republic and its domestic policy
Lessons 5–6 · 2 lessons · M. Lafasov, U. Jo‘rayev, E. Xoliqov, D. Qodirova. Jahon tarixi (World history), Grade 9, revised 3rd edition. “O‘qituvchi” Publishing House, Tashkent, 2014
6
France’s domestic policy
Textbook: pp. 23–25
GoalDescribe the republic’s reforms, the Dreyfus Affair and the social movement.
New words
secular education, independent of the church · dunyoviy ta’limtrade union · kasaba uyushmasithe Dreyfus Affair: a political scandal over the false conviction of a French officer · «Dreyfus ishi»extreme nationalism · shovinizm
Explanation
In 1881–1882 the republican government passed education laws: school was separated from the church, education became secular, free compulsory schooling was introduced up to age 13, and lycées for girls opened. In 1884 trade unions became legal (strikes had been allowed since 1864), and local councils gained the right to elect their leaders. A multi-party system took root (radicals, socialists, republicans), but nationalism and chauvinism also grew. In 1894 Captain A. Dreyfus, a Jewish officer, was accused of spying and sentenced to life exile; the real culprit was later found to be Major Esterhazy, but it took a long struggle to reopen the case. Dreyfus was pardoned in 1899 and fully cleared in 1906. The affair became a sharp dispute between supporters of democracy and nationalists. In the early 20th century economic growth brought relative stability; a pension law (age 65) was passed in 1910 and a weekly day of rest introduced.
Worked examples
Education reform: separation from the church + secularism + free compulsory schooling (to 13) + girls’ lycées + teacher training.
Lesson of the Dreyfus Affair: for a fair trial, evidence must be genuine and cases openly examined; false documents led to the punishment of an innocent man.
Class activity
“Courtroom”: the class role-plays the reopening of the Dreyfus case (prosecutor, defender, witness, jury).
Practice
1
What did the education laws of 1881–1882 establish?
Separation of school from church, secular education and free compulsory schooling up to age 13.
2
When was Dreyfus convicted and when was he fully cleared?
Convicted in 1894; fully cleared in 1906.
3
What right did the 1884 law give workers?
The right to form trade unions freely and to work in them.
4
Why did the Dreyfus Affair divide public opinion into two opposing sides?
One side defended truth and the rule of law, the other the army’s reputation and nationalism; the case was also tied to nationalist and anti-Jewish feeling.