The Paris Commune - from the archive, 1871
(The Guardian France)

On 28 May 1871, French soldiers crushed the Paris Commune, a socialist government that had ruled the city for two months. See how the Guardian and Observer reported the insurrectionThe Paris Commune was a radical, popular led government that ruled Paris from 18 March to 28 May, 1871. It occurred in the wake of France´s defeat in the Franco-German war and the collapse of Napoleon III´s Second Empire (1852-70). Parisians united to overthrow the existing French regime which had failed to protect them from the Prussian siege. The elected council of the Commune passed socialist policies and oversaw city functions but was eventually overthrown when the French army retook the city. About 20,000 insurrectionists were killed, 38,000 arrested and more than 7,000 deported. Related: La Commune: a lesson in audacity | Agnès Poirier Related: Siege of Paris, 1871 - picture of the day Related: The rebel France could not crush: Paul Mason on his play about the passion of Louise Michel Continue reading...