The elections of Commune council of the Paris Commune are held.

The Paris Commune: A Revolutionary Chapter in French History

In the vibrant, often turbulent, history of France, the

Paris Commune
(French: Commune de Paris, pronounced [kɔ.myn də pa.ʁi]) stands out as a brief yet profoundly significant revolutionary government. For just over two months, from March 18 to May 28, 1871, the capital city of
Paris
was governed by an independent, radical administration that dared to challenge the established order of the nascent Third Republic.

A City Under Siege: The Seeds of Revolution

The Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 served as the crucible for the Commune's emergence. As the French National Guard valiantly defended Paris against Prussian forces, a powerful tide of working-class radicalism swept through its ranks. The fall of the Second Empire and the proclamation of the

Third Republic
in September 1870, under the leadership of Adolphe Thiers from February 1871, did little to quell the rising discontent. Following the comprehensive defeat of the French Army by the Germans by March 1871, tensions reached a boiling point. On March 18, emboldened soldiers of the National Guard took decisive action, seizing control of the city. In a dramatic display of defiance, they executed two French army generals and unequivocally rejected the authority of the Third Republic, setting out instead to forge an independent government for Paris.

Governing Principles: A Vision of Social Democracy

For its two months in power, the

Commune
embarked on an ambitious program, implementing policies that leaned towards a progressive and anti-religious system of social democracy. These groundbreaking initiatives included the official separation of church and state, a push for self-policing by citizens, the remission of rent during the ongoing siege, and the radical abolition of child labor. Perhaps most notably, it enshrined the right of employees to take over enterprises that had been abandoned by their owners, a bold step towards worker control. Various ideological currents intertwined within the Commune, with
feminist
,
socialist
,
communist
, and
anarchist
movements playing crucial roles in shaping its agenda. However, the diverse Communards found themselves with precious little time—barely two months—to fully realize their far-reaching goals.

The Bloody Week: Suppression and Aftermath

The revolutionary experiment in Paris was ultimately met with brutal force. At the close of May, the national French Army launched a decisive assault, brutally suppressing the Commune during a period grimly remembered as

La semaine sanglante
("The Bloody Week"). This tragic chapter began on May 21, 1871. Estimates suggest that between 10,000 and 15,000 Communards were killed in battle or swiftly executed by the national forces, though some unconfirmed figures push this devastating toll as high as 20,000. In its desperate final days, the Commune retaliated by executing the Archbishop of Paris, Georges Darboy, and approximately one hundred other hostages, primarily gendarmes and priests. The aftermath saw a massive round-up, with 43,522 Communards taken prisoner, including 1,054 women. While more than half were quickly released, 15,000 faced trial, and 13,500 were found guilty. Ninety-five individuals were sentenced to death, 251 to forced labor, and 1,169 to deportation, often to the distant shores of
New Caledonia
. Thousands of other Commune members, including several of its prominent leaders, managed to flee abroad, finding refuge primarily in England, Belgium, and Switzerland. Fortunately, a measure of reconciliation arrived in 1880, when all remaining prisoners and exiles received pardons, allowing them to return home, where some even resumed their political careers.

An Enduring Legacy: The Commune's Impact on Political Thought

Despite its brief existence and violent end, the Paris Commune exerted a profound influence on political thought, particularly for foundational figures of socialist theory. The debates surrounding the Commune's policies and its ultimate outcome deeply shaped the ideas of

Karl Marx
(1818-1883) and
Friedrich Engels
(1820-1895). They famously heralded it as the first practical example of the
dictatorship of the proletariat
, a key concept in their revolutionary ideology. Engels himself eloquently articulated this impact, writing: "Of late, the Social-Democratic philistine has once more been filled with wholesome terror at the words: Dictatorship of the Proletariat. Well and good, gentlemen, do you want to know what this dictatorship looks like? Look at the Paris Commune. That was the Dictatorship of the Proletariat." The Commune thus remains a potent symbol of working-class struggle and a touchstone for discussions on revolution, state power, and social justice.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Paris Commune

What was the Paris Commune?
The
Paris Commune
was a radical, socialist, and revolutionary government that briefly seized power in Paris, France, in the spring of 1871, rejecting the authority of the newly formed Third Republic.
When did the Paris Commune occur?
It governed Paris from March 18 to May 28, 1871, a period of just over two months following the defeat of France in the
Franco-Prussian War
.
What were the main goals and policies of the Commune?
The Commune aimed to establish a progressive system of
social democracy
. Its policies included the separation of church and state, the abolition of child labor, remission of rent, the right of workers to take over deserted enterprises, and a push for citizen self-policing. It was influenced by various
feminist
,
socialist
,
communist
, and
anarchist
ideals.
How did the Paris Commune end?
The Commune was brutally suppressed by the national French Army during
La semaine sanglante
("The Bloody Week"), which began on May 21, 1871. Thousands of Communards were killed, executed, or imprisoned, leading to the collapse of the revolutionary government.
What is the historical significance of the Paris Commune?
The
Paris Commune
holds immense historical significance as a landmark event in the history of revolutionary movements. It greatly influenced thinkers like
Karl Marx
and
Friedrich Engels
, who saw it as the first practical example of the
dictatorship of the proletariat
, and it continues to inspire debates on workers' rights, direct democracy, and the role of the state.