The Popular Front in Interwar France - Lecture 17

Explore the political landscape of interwar France in this 48-minute lecture from Yale University's "France Since 1871" course. Examine the rise of Far Right and fascist organizations following World War I, fueled by economic depression, nationalism, anti-Semitism, and xenophobia. Analyze the tension between communist revolutionaries and socialist reformers, leading to the formation of the Popular Front government under Leon Blum. Discover how the Popular Front, despite its eventual fall, pioneered many reforms and progressive measures still enjoyed by French workers today. Delve into key events such as the Stavisky Affair, the victory of the Popular Front, and the impact of the Spanish Civil War on French politics. Gain insights into the complex social and political dynamics that shaped France during this tumultuous period.