Ligue des Patriotes
Encyclopedia
The Ligue des Patriotes was a French far right league, founded in 1882 by the nationalist poet Paul Déroulède
, historian Henri Martin, and Felix Faure
. The Ligue began as a non-partisan nationalist league calling for 'revanche
' (revenge for the French defeat during the Franco-Prussian War
) against Germany, and literally means "League of Patriots". One of the original purposes of the Ligue was to offer pre-military training, allowing members to participate in gymnastics and rifle shooting.
The league was formed with Léon Gambetta
's blessing, and Gambetta's education ministry included Déroulède in the its Military Education Commission, which was also formed in 1882. However, during the Boulanger Affair
, Déroulède co-opted the ligue to support the general, alienating many Republican members. After Boulanger's exile in 1889, the Ligue was suppressed by the French government.
Upon the discovery that Victoria, the future German Empress had stayed in Versailles
and Saint-Cloud
, a town destroyed during the Franco-Prussian War. during her unofficial visit to France in 1891, the Ligue incited a public uproar. The disorder surrounding the visit eventually resulted in the Crown Princess cutting her trip short and being escorted under French military protection, for her safety, to Calais to board a ship to England.
In 1898, the Ligue was revived to become involved in the Dreyfus Affair
engaging in noisy and often violent anti-Semitic
, right-wing protests. At this stage the Ligue is estimated to have had 60,000 members, largely in Paris.
After a failed coup in 1899, Paul Déroulède was sentenced to exile from France for 10 years and the Ligue was dissolved. But the nationalist author Maurice Barrès
became again its leader in 1914, at the eve of World War I
.
Paul Déroulède
- Early life :Déroulède was born in Paris. He was published first as a poet in the magazine Revue nationale, with the pseudonym "Jean Rebel". In 1869 he produced, at the Théâtre Français, a one-act drama in verse named Juan Strenner.- Military career :...
, historian Henri Martin, and Felix Faure
Félix Faure
Félix François Faure was President of France from 1895 until his death.-Biography:Félix François Faure was born in Paris, the son of a small furniture maker...
. The Ligue began as a non-partisan nationalist league calling for 'revanche
Revanchism
Revanchism is a term used since the 1870s to describe a political manifestation of the will to reverse territorial losses incurred by a country, often following a war or social movement. Revanchism draws its strength from patriotic and retributionist thought and is often motivated by economic or...
' (revenge for the French defeat during the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
) against Germany, and literally means "League of Patriots". One of the original purposes of the Ligue was to offer pre-military training, allowing members to participate in gymnastics and rifle shooting.
The league was formed with Léon Gambetta
Léon Gambetta
Léon Gambetta was a French statesman prominent after the Franco-Prussian War.-Youth and education:He is said to have inherited his vigour and eloquence from his father, a Genovese grocer who had married a Frenchwoman named Massabie. At the age of fifteen, Gambetta lost the sight of his right eye...
's blessing, and Gambetta's education ministry included Déroulède in the its Military Education Commission, which was also formed in 1882. However, during the Boulanger Affair
Georges Boulanger
Georges Ernest Jean-Marie Boulanger was a French general and reactionary politician. At the apogee of his popularity in January 1889 many republicans including Georges Clemenceau feared the threat of a coup d'état by Boulanger and the establishment of a dictatorship.- Early life and career :Born...
, Déroulède co-opted the ligue to support the general, alienating many Republican members. After Boulanger's exile in 1889, the Ligue was suppressed by the French government.
Upon the discovery that Victoria, the future German Empress had stayed in Versailles
Versailles
Versailles , a city renowned for its château, the Palace of Versailles, was the de facto capital of the kingdom of France for over a century, from 1682 to 1789. It is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and remains an important administrative and judicial centre...
and Saint-Cloud
Saint-Cloud
Saint-Cloud is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the centre of Paris.Like other communes of the Hauts-de-Seine such as Marnes-la-Coquette, Neuilly-sur-Seine or Vaucresson, Saint-Cloud is one of the wealthiest cities in France, ranked 22nd out of the 36500 in...
, a town destroyed during the Franco-Prussian War. during her unofficial visit to France in 1891, the Ligue incited a public uproar. The disorder surrounding the visit eventually resulted in the Crown Princess cutting her trip short and being escorted under French military protection, for her safety, to Calais to board a ship to England.
In 1898, the Ligue was revived to become involved in the Dreyfus Affair
Dreyfus Affair
The Dreyfus affair was a political scandal that divided France in the 1890s and the early 1900s. It involved the conviction for treason in November 1894 of Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a young French artillery officer of Alsatian Jewish descent...
engaging in noisy and often violent anti-Semitic
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
, right-wing protests. At this stage the Ligue is estimated to have had 60,000 members, largely in Paris.
After a failed coup in 1899, Paul Déroulède was sentenced to exile from France for 10 years and the Ligue was dissolved. But the nationalist author Maurice Barrès
Maurice Barrès
Maurice Barrès was a French novelist, journalist, and socialist politician and agitator known for his nationalist and antisemitic views....
became again its leader in 1914, at the eve of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.