The French Republic, Strikes and Amnesty (1905-1914): A Political Attempt to Regulate Social Conflicts in France

Confronted with violent social conflicts at the end of 19th century, French radicals implemented a policy that combined repression, clemency and reforms and which led to the systematic use of amnesty. Based on the long republican tradition of clemency, amnesty measures aimed to solidify the structure of ``republican civilisation'' by establishing the limits of what was permissible and what was not. Often acting in response to electoral issues, amnesty can be understood as a pedagogical means that strove to save the world of labour from the temptation of Socialism. Nevertheless, the debates which accompanied the use of amnesty revealed the elite's persistent fear of the people at a time when the working class was becoming more influential and more organised.