Abstract
In 1880, France was the only European republic. Nonetheless, the Third Republic conserved many elements of the former regimes, such as the Loi Le Chapelier or the Napoleonic livret. Morris argues that France changed less than England or Germany between 1880 and 1914.
French economic life before 1914 showed great expansion and prosperity, from which stems the name given to this period: La Belle Epoque. France was for example the biggest exporter of iron ore. Communications were improved. Meline imposed an heavy tariff in 1892 on the foreign goods, to favor the French production, which symbolized a general trend toward protectionism in the fin de siècle Europe.
There was a growth of an industrial proletariat, bourgeoisie benefiting from the industry and proprietors peasants. It created a solid conservative base for the Republic. The most important division between the Frenchmen was the question of belief. Can Atheism be seen as the cornerstone of Republicanism or possibility to conciliate Catholicism and an acceptable society?
