After a long exile, the Count of Provence (1755-1824), brother of Louis XVI, returned to France to reign under the name of Louis XVIII. He governs according to a Constitution inspired by the English monarchy. The king has executive power and part of legislative power. He holds the initiative of laws and appoints the members of the Chamber of Peers.
The assassination in 1820 of the Duke of Berry, nephew and sole heir of Louis XVIII, put an end to this policy. This anchorage to the right was confirmed in 1824, when the Count of Artois succeeded his brother. He was crowned in Reims, thus reviving the practices of the Ancien Régime, under the name of Charles X.
In 1830, Louis-Philippe I came to power and took over the Charter of Louis XVIII and made it a little more liberal. Thanks to peacekeeping in Europe, the government continues to clean up its finances. The main minister, F. Guizot, began a policy of modernization of the kingdom. It generalized primary education and developed the communications network. The country is experiencing significant economic development. But this situation deteriorated from 1846. In addition to the poor harvests, there is an industrial and financial crisis that is increasing discontent.
The Republicans believe that they were deceived during the Revolution of 1830 and are joined in their demands by the workers, and by the petty and middle bourgeoisie.
Unable to express themselves democratically, the Republicans circumvented the law prohibiting political meetings: they organized banquets. On February 21, 1848, one of these banned banquets provoked demonstrations and barricades leading to the abdication of Louis-Philippe on February 24 and the proclamation of the Republic.