The Third Republic is established following the defeat of the Emperor. It arrives in a complicated context where Paris is occupied by the Prussian army. The Armistice is signed but the Parisians accept this policy very badly: they who resisted, have the impression of being cheated. Subsequently, the Third Republic will manage to win by the vote.
After the defeat of Sedan, the Prussians besieged Paris, which capitulated on 28 January 1871. The French elected monarchist deputies in favour of peace. The provisional government led by Adolphe Thiers negotiated with Prussia.
In 1871, many deputies wanted to restore the monarchy, but the majority of French people insisted on universal suffrage and preferred the Republic.
Thiers made possible a conservative republic, but he resigned in 1873. Marshal Mac-Mahon succeeded him pending the restoration of the monarchy, according to his thought. But the divisions of the royalists prevented the return of the monarchy.
The constitutional laws adopted in 1875 established the Republic. The role of the President of the Republic is limited, the government is controlled by deputies, elected by universal male suffrage.
Forming a compromise constitution, the constitutional acts of 1875 established a bicameral parliamentary republic. Marked by the overthrow of the Republic in 1851, the Republicans only gave the Head of State a representative role.
From 1879, the Republicans had a majority in the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. They decided that July 14 would be a national holiday and adopted the Marseillaise as their national anthem. In all cities except Paris, municipal councils and mayors are elected by universal male suffrage.
In 1881, Jules Ferry, a moderate republican, passed laws that established free and compulsory primary education, which became secular in 1886. Teachers spread republican ideas throughout the France.