France since 1870: Culture, Politics and Society

by Charles Sowerwine

Overview

This thoroughly revised, updated and expanded new edition of an established text surveys the cultural, social and political history of France from the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and the Paris Commune through to Emmanuel Macron's presidency. Incorporating the newest interpretations of past events, Sowerwine seamlessly integrates culture, gender, and race into political and social history. This edition features extended coverage of the 2007-8 financial crisis, the rise of the political and cultural far right and the issues of colonialism and its contemporary repercussions.

This is an essential resource for undergraduate and taught postgraduate students of history, French studies or European studies taking courses on modern French history or European history. This text will also appeal to scholars and readers with an interest in modern French history.

'Richly informative and lucidly presented, Sowerwine's France since 1870 offers essential reading for students and researchers. Particularly powerful is the new final chapter, which draws on historical expertise to explore and explain the literary and political malaise of contemporary France.' – Jessica Wardhaugh, University of Warwick, UK.

'This third edition is unparalleled in its reach and excellence as a history of modern France from 1870 to the present. Sowerwine seamlessly integrates culture, gender, and race into political and social history. His incorporation of the newest interpretations of past events as well as the historical perspective he lends to current events such as terror attacks, new laws regarding labor and marriage, modern globalization, neo-liberalism-as well as to France's darkening mood—make this highly readable book a true masterpiece.' – Elinor Accampo, University of Southern California, USA.

'Her recent social and economic challenges have cast deep shadows into the story of modern France that Charles Sowerwine tells so clearly. Those dark questions about culture, politics and society have their full place in this This scholarly but accessible reassessment of French history since 1870. This edition raises new questions about France's story, directly and compellingly, and remains the key text for readers who are curious about modern France.' – Julian Wright, Northumbria University, UK.

'Following on the fine precedent set by earlier editions, this masterful survey offers students and the public alike a readable and illuminating account of the tortuous and ever intriguing path of French history since 1870.' – George Sheridan, University of Oregon, USA.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781137406101
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/13/2018
Edition description:	3rd ed. 2018
Pages:	568
Product dimensions:	6.60(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Charles Sowerwine is Professor of History at the University of Melbourbane, Australia.
Charles Sowerwine is Professor of History at the University of Melbourbane, Australia.

Table of Contents

List of Maps
Preface
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
French Regimes
European Union Member States by Date of Accession
Eurozone Member States by Date of Accession
PART I: THE RISE OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC, 1870-85
1. France in the Nineteenth Century
2. The Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune, 1870-71
3. The Triumph of the Republicans, 1871-85
4. The Cultural Bases of Republicanism
PART II: TESTING TIME FOR THE REPUBLIC, 1885-1918
5. Challenges to the Republic (1): Constructing the Modern Right
6. Challenges to the Republic (2): Constructing the Modern Left
7. The Cultural Revolution of the Belle Époque
8. The Great War 1914-18
PART III: THE DECLINE OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC, 1919-40
9. France after the War 1919-28
10. France in the Depression 1929-35
11. The Popular Front 1936-37
12. Culture Between the Wars
13. The Fall of France 1938-40
PART IV: VICHY AND ITS AFTERMATH, 1940-6
14. Vichy in Power, 1940-42
15. Resistance and Liberation, 1942-44
16. Liberated France 1944-46
17. Existentialism: Culture of the Resistance?
PART V: THE FOURTH REPUBLIC, 1946-58
18. Vietnam War, Cold War, 1946-54
19. The 1950s: Coke, Culture and the French Economic Miracle
20. The Algerian War Erupts, 1954-7
21. The Fall of the Fourth Republic,1958
PART VI: THE FIFTH REPUBLIC I, 1958-69
22. De Gaulle's Presidency, 1958-68: Algeria vs 'Grandeur'
23. Cultural Explosion: New Theory, New Cinema, New Novel
24. Social Explosion: May '68
PART VII: THE FIFTH REPUBLIC II, 1969-95
25. Pompidou and Giscard's Presidencies, 1969-81: May's Aftershocks and the End of the Trente Glorieuses
26. Mitterrand's Presidency, 1981-88: 'Socialist France'?
27. Mitterrand's Presidency, 1988-95: Stalemate
28. Culture after '68: Conflicting Trends
PART VIII: THE FIFTH REPUBLIC III, 1995-2017
29. Chirac's Presidency, 1995-2002: From Juppé to Jospin
30. Chirac's Presidency, 2002-7: Sarkozy Rising
31. Sarkozy's Presidency, 2007-12: Neo-Liberalism and GFC
32. Hollande's Presidency, 2012-17: Socialism or Neo-Liberalism?
33. Racism, Pessimism, Despair: A Culture for the 21st Century
Conclusion
Notes
Suggestions for Further Reading
Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Praise for the second edition: 'The second edition retains all the characteristics which made the first edition such a success: a good balance of attention to detail and awareness of the 'bigger picture' throughout; appropriate coverage of recent historiographical developments; and a welcome focus on cultural, including gender, issues.' - Stephen Tyre, University of St. Andrews, UK

'A vivid, detailed and nuanced account of republican France which ranges into areas rarely covered by survey texts. The revisions and additions in this new edition - in particular, Professor Sowerwine's new assessment of the post-Mitterand period - will ensure that, like its predecessor, it is essential reading for all students of modern France.' - Nick Carter, University of New South Wales, Australia

'In my view, Sowerwine's text is by far the best survey of modern French history since 1870 now available. It is particularly strong on French cultural history, while offering a wide and effectively presented picture of a complex and fascinating period.' - John Merriman, Yale University, USA

'Professor Sowerwine gives his readers a superb introduction to modern France. The strengths of this book include exceptionally strong coverage of cultural history and unusually thorough coverage of the contemporary era. The new edition continues such strengths while increasing the treatment of topics such as military history and extending his analysis to the Sarkozy era. This is an impressive achievement.' - Steven C. Hause, Washington University in St Louis, USA

'Thoroughly updated throughout to reflect the latest scholarship and with two entirely new chapters on developments since 1995 up to 2007, this splendid volume is a highly readable tour de force of synthesis, organization, and interpretation. Sowerwine masterfully weaves women's history and cultural history into the narrative of political and economic developments and tackles important contemporary issues such as immigration, parité, the PaCS, France's position on the Iraq War, and its relationship to the European Union. This second edition of France Since 1870 will quickly take its place as the text of reference for undergraduates, graduate students, and practicing historians alike.' - Laura L. Frader, Northeastern University, USA

Editorial Reviews

With France Since 1870,Charles Sowerwine has made a valuable contribution to the study of modern French history.

Joelle Neulander