May 1968: Student Protests and Social Change in France
May 1968: A Turning Point in French History
1. Defining May 1968 and Its Key Participants
May 1968 refers to a chain of events that occurred in France, particularly in Paris, during May and June 1968. It resulted from the convergence of protests among college and secondary school students and the labor movement. It was a youth-led movement.
2. The Vietnam War and U.S. Imperialism
In February 1962, a demonstration organized by the French Communist Party and the General Labor Confederation ended with nine fatalities, who were crushed at the Charonne subway station. This event highlighted the political tensions of the time, including opposition to the Vietnam War and U.S. foreign policy, often criticized as imperialistic.
3. Examples of Excessive Police Repression
In January 1968, riots in Caen involving workers, farmers, and students resulted in over 200 injuries. This was one of several instances where police actions were deemed excessively repressive, leading to significant consequences and further fueling public discontent.
4. Key Political Terms
- Left: Political parties that defend workers’ rights and advocate for strong social policies.
- Far-right: Very radical political parties advocating extreme right-wing policies, often characterized by xenophobic attitudes.
- Right: Political parties advocating for capitalist policies, supporting businesses and often aligned with the church.
- Maoism: A form of communism developed by Mao Zedong, inspired by Marxism-Leninism.
- Marxism: The set of political and philosophical doctrines derived from the work of Karl Marx.
- Marxism-Leninism: The set of political, economic, and philosophical contributions developed by the Bolshevik leader Lenin within Marxism.
5. The Hippie Movement and Consumerism
Many movements during this period, including the Hippie movement, questioned and criticized the artificial lifestyle promoted by consumerism and the capitalist organization of society. The Hippie movement, known for advocating peace and using drugs, represented a counterculture that rejected mainstream values.
6. Herbert Marcuse’s Ideology
Herbert Marcuse, an ideologue of May 1968, stated, “The most important intellectual, the rulers will be more compassionate,” suggesting that greater intellectual understanding can lead to empathy among those in power. He also noted, “No matter how peaceful they are or will be our demonstrations, we expect that they opposed the violence in institutions,” highlighting the inherent risk of violence in institutional responses to even peaceful protests.
Marcuse criticized the modern development model for reducing human beings to a one-dimensional existence, focused solely on productivity and neglecting other aspects such as emotional, sexual, intellectual, and moral dimensions. He argued that this model diminishes individual freedom and promotes extreme consumerism as a way to fill the resulting void, postponing the pursuit of genuine fulfillment and happiness.
7. Timeline of May 1968
Beginning of the Movement
April:
- April 22: 1,500 students attend a protest at Nanterre University.
- April 28: The dean orders the closure of the university.
May:
- May 2: Students mobilize, accusing authorities of terrorism after the university is stormed.
- May 3: Eight students involved in protests in Paris are summoned to testify.
- May 6: The “Eight of Nanterre” appear before the university’s disciplinary committee.
- May 10: Police actions at the Sorbonne and failed negotiations at the rectory.
The Workers’ Strike
May:
- May 13: A general strike is called, with 200,000 participating initially. Nine million workers across France eventually join the strike.
- May 16: Students march to Boulogne-Billancourt.
- May 25: Pompidou’s cabinet agrees to open negotiations.
- May 27: Negotiations conclude.
De Gaulle’s Reaction
May:
- May 7: Violent clashes occur.
- May 10: A young high school student dies.
- May 12: De Gaulle decrees the dissolution and banning of left-wing groups.
- May 15: Raymond Marcellin pardons 50 prisoners from the OAS (Secret Armed Organization).
- May 29: De Gaulle disappears from public view.
- May 30: De Gaulle returns to Paris, and a demonstration in defense of the Republic draws over 300,000 people.
- May 23-30: Legislative elections are scheduled.
8. Consequences of May 1968
- The French government recognized the need for political reforms.
- In April 1969, a referendum on regionalization and Senate reform was held.
- De Gaulle stated he would remain in office if the referendum passed but would leave if it failed.
- The referendum failed, leading to De Gaulle’s resignation, marking the end of a generation of political leaders.
- In 1969, unions began talks in the Grenelle Accords.
- The 1970s saw continued labor unrest in France.
9. Slogans of May 1968
Slogans were widely used during the protests. Here are some examples and their meanings:
- “Open your eyes, turn off the TV”: Be aware of reality, not just what is portrayed in the media.
- “Once you open your eyes, you can’t close them again”: Once you become aware, you cannot escape reality.
- “Be realistic, ask for the impossible”: Be prepared and aim high, not just for what is easy.
- “Insolence is the new revolutionary weapon”: Disagreement with the status quo, such as in education, can spark revolutions.
- “Forget everything you’ve learned and start to dream”: Let go of the negative past and start living for a better future.
10. A Manifesto from a Faculty Meeting in Paris
“As a member of the faculty in Paris during May 1968, I would address the issue of educational aid. Many families struggle to afford educational materials or have insufficient funds. Scholarships and grants often cover only half of the costs, while some affluent families receive aid unnecessarily. I propose that aid should be distributed equally or withheld from families that do not require it. This issue remains relevant today, as equitable access to education is crucial for social justice.”