The French National Workshops, 1848

The mid-1840s saw hard times in Europe. A great famine struck Ireland in 1846. The next year, a trade recession affected cities in Central Europe and France. Unemployment grew steadily more common. The economic and political instability in Europe led to a series of revolutions in 1848. These revolutions, including the one in France, were shaped by the forces of liberalism and nationalism.

In the nineteenth century, the ideals of nationalism and liberalism inspired many people. They believed that all people deserved the right to participate in their national government and that it was the government’s job to promote freedom and protect its citizens from harm. By 1848, many people in France felt that their government was failing to live up to these ideals.

In 1846, a massive crop failure had caused a serious economic crisis. Food was scarce and expensive, and unemployment skyrocketed as many businesses went bankrupt. In addition to these economic hardships, many people were also unhappy with the French political system, which granted the right to vote only to the social elite. The middle- and working-class citizens of France were increasingly frustrated with the economic situation and their inability to participate in a solution.

The economic and political discontent of the people erupted in February of 1848, when an angry mob overthrew the monarchy and forced King Louis- Philippe to flee to England. The new government, named the Second Republic, issued a declaration that required the state to provide jobs for the people. An emergency relief system, called the National Workshops, was immediately established to relieve the unemployment problem. Projects included road building, work on urban sites such as squares and embankments, and other aspects of the country’s infrastructure. The workshops soon attracted so many people that there were not enough projects for everyone. The program was cancelled in June 1848—after only four months of operation—due to a lack of funds. However, people would continue to demand government work programs well after the revolution of 1848.

Economic Terms to Know

recession decline in real Gross Domestic Product lasting at least two quarters or more

unemployment state of working for less than one hour per week, while being available and having made an effort to find a job for the past month

infrastructure highways, mass transit, communications, power, water, and other public goods needed to support a population

Applying Economics to History

1. Identifying Central Issues Why was it a priority for the government of the Second Republic to immediately establish the National Workshops? How would reducing unemployment benefit the new government?

2. Determining Cause and Effect Because the number of unemployed far exceeded the number of jobs that could be provided, the government decided to pay those who did not work the sum of 11⁄2 francs per day. Workers actually on the job earned 2 francs a day. What do you think were the effects of this policy?