General Strike of May 1968

General Strike of May 1968 was a pivotal moment in modern French history, marked by widespread protests, demonstrations, and strikes that brought the country to a standstill. The strike involved millions of workers, including those from Renault, Peugeot, and other major French industry companies, and was supported by various trade unions, such as the Confédération Générale du Travail (CGT) and the Force Ouvrière (FO). The events of May 1968 were influenced by the ideas of Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, and Mao Zedong, and were also linked to the May 1968 events in France, which included the student-led protests at the University of Paris and the Sorbonne. The strike was also covered by major news media outlets, including Le Monde, Libération, and France Soir.

● Introduction

The General Strike of May 1968 was a complex and multifaceted event that involved various social movements, parties, and interest groups. The strike was preceded by a series of student protests and demonstrations, which were inspired by the Free Speech Movement at the University of California, Berkeley and the anti-war movement in the United States. The strike also drew support from prominent intellectuals, such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Michel Foucault, who were associated with the French New Left and the existentialism movement. The strike was also influenced by the Cuban Revolution and the Chinese Cultural Revolution, and was seen as part of a broader global protest movement that included the Prague Spring and the Mexican Student Movement.

● Background

The background to the General Strike of May 1968 was marked by a series of social and economic changes in France, including the post-war economic boom and the trente glorieuses period of rapid economic growth. However, this growth was accompanied by significant social inequality and poverty, which affected many working-class families and immigrant communities. The strike was also influenced by the decolonization movement and the Algerian War, which had a profound impact on French society and politics. The strike drew support from various left-wing parties, including the French Communist Party (PCF) and the Socialist Party (PS), as well as from anarchist and trotskyist groups, such as the Situationist International and the Jeunesse Communiste Révolutionnaire (JCR).

● Events of May 1968

The events of May 1968 began with a series of student protests and occupations at the University of Paris and the Sorbonne, which were sparked by the expulsion of Daniel Cohn-Bendit and other student leaders. The protests quickly spread to other university campuses and factory workplaces, and were marked by clashes between protesters and police. The strike involved millions of workers, including those from Renault, Peugeot, and other major French industry companies, and was supported by various trade unions, such as the Confédération Générale du Travail (CGT) and the Force Ouvrière (FO). The strike was also marked by the occupation of factory workplaces and the seizure of key infrastructure, such as railway stations and airports. The events of May 1968 were covered by major news media outlets, including Le Monde, Libération, and France Soir, and were also influenced by the underground press and alternative media outlets, such as Actuel and Hara-Kiri.

● Key Players and Organizations

The key players and organizations involved in the General Strike of May 1968 included student leaders, such as Daniel Cohn-Bendit and Alain Geismar, as well as trade union leaders, such as Georges Séguy and Pierre Messmer. The strike was also supported by prominent intellectuals, such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Michel Foucault, who were associated with the French New Left and the existentialism movement. The strike drew support from various left-wing parties, including the French Communist Party (PCF) and the Socialist Party (PS), as well as from anarchist and trotskyist groups, such as the Situationist International and the Jeunesse Communiste Révolutionnaire (JCR). The strike was also influenced by the Maoist movement and the Chinese Cultural Revolution, and was seen as part of a broader global protest movement that included the Prague Spring and the Mexican Student Movement.

● Aftermath and Impact

The aftermath of the General Strike of May 1968 was marked by a series of negotiations and concessions, including the Grenelle Agreement, which provided for significant wage increases and improvements in working conditions. The strike also had a profound impact on French society and politics, leading to the resignation of Charles de Gaulle and the election of Georges Pompidou as President of France. The strike also influenced the development of the European Union and the European Social Model, and was seen as a key moment in the history of socialism and the labor movement. The strike was also commemorated in various art and literature works, including the films of Jean-Luc Godard and the writings of Italo Calvino and Pierre Bourdieu.

● Legacy of

the Strike The legacy of the General Strike of May 1968 continues to be felt today, with the strike remaining a powerful symbol of social movement activism and protest. The strike has been commemorated in various anniversary celebrations and exhibitions, including the 40th anniversary celebrations in 2008 and the 50th anniversary celebrations in 2018. The strike has also influenced the development of social movement theory and the study of protest and collective action, and has been the subject of numerous academic and historical studies, including the work of historians such as Kristin Ross and Serge Berstein. The strike remains an important part of French history and culture, and continues to inspire social movement activism and protest around the world, including the Occupy Wall Street movement and the Arab Spring protests. Category:French history