Action Française Ideology 1898 1926 Papal Condemnation And

It was founded in 1898 during the Dreyfus affair, partly in reaction to the left wing revitalisation that was happening around the defense of the army captain. Originally a Republican organisation which attracted many nationalist figures such as Maurice Barrès, under the influence of Maurras it became monarchist, following the earlier ideas of Joseph de Maistre. Until its dissolution at the end of the Second World War, the Action Française was a prominent proponent of integral nationalism, which regarded the nation as an organic entity of blood and soil .

1 Ideology

The ideology of the Action Française was dominated by the thought of Charles Maurras, following his adherence and his conversion of the movement's founders to monarchism. It supported a restoration of the monarchy and of Roman Catholicism as the state religion. It advocated decentralisation (a "federal monarchy"), with the restoration of pre- Revolutionary "liberties" to the ancient provinces of France (replaced during the Revolution by the departmental system). It aimed to achieve a restoration by means of a coup d'état, probably involving a transitional authoritarian government.

The Action Française was liberal with its enemies – foreigners, Communists, AnarchistsAnarchists can refer to one of two things: The movie Anarchists Supporters of the principles of anarchism A List_of_anarchists., JewThe word Jew is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to either a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or a member of the Jewish culture or ethnicity. This article discusses the term as describing an ethnic group; for as, Protestants and Freemasons (the last five all being considered to be part of "Anti-France" – internal foreigners, effectively).

2 1898 - 1926

The movement published a review, the Bulletin de l'Action française, which subsequently became the Revue de l'Action Française and then, in 19081908 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). Events January-February January 1 A ball signifying New Year's Day drops in New York City's Times Square for the first time January 8 A train collision occurs in the Park Avenue T, a daily paper Action Française. It gained large number of readers outside the movement and made Maurras a significant figure in French politics, his influence extending far beyond the extreme right. It was edited by Léon DaudetLeon Daudet ( 1867 1942) was a French author and an active Monarchist. He was the son of the novelist Alphonse Daudet. He was born in Paris. He vocally criticized the French Third Republic, and democracy in general. Together with Charles Maurras, he co-fo, son of the writer Alphonse DaudetAlphonse Daudet ( May 13, 1840 December 17, 1897) was a French novelist. He was the father of Leon Daudet. Early life Alphonse Daudet was born in Nimes, Provence, France. His family, on both sides, belonged to the bourgeoisie. The father, Vincent Daudet,, and other contributors included the historian Jacques Bainville , the critic Jules Lemaître and the economist Georges Valois, who later left the movement to found the Faisceau. The Camelots du Roi were recruited in 1908 to sell the paper, but they also served as the movement's paramilitary wing, regularly engaging in street violence with political oponents. In this period the Action Française became a significant actor in French politics. However, its rise caused some concern among the Roman Catholic hierarchy.

3 Papal Condemnation and Decline

In spite of the Action Française's support for Roman Catholicism as state religion and the fact that the vast majority of its members were practising Catholics (indeed, they included significant numbers of clergy), some Catholics regarded it with distrust. Much of this was due to Maurras' influence. Maurras was an agnostic whose advocacy of Catholicism was due to his belief that it was a factor of social cohesion and stability and to its importance in French history. This rather utilitarian view of religion disturbed people who were often in agreement with many of Maurras' ideas. Its influence on young Catholics was also considered problematic. In 1926, Pope Pius XI condemned the Action Française. Several of Maurras' writings were placed on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum at the same time.

This was a devestating blow for the movement. Many of its members left (two Catholics who were forced to look for a different path in politics and life were François Mitterrand and Georges Bernanos) and it entered a period of decline. The condemnation would not be lifted until 1938.

4 The Inter-War Revival

Its fortunes revived in the inter-war period. As increasing numbers of people in France (as in Europe as a whole) turned to authoritarian political movements, many turned to the Action Française. It was represented for a time in the Chamber of Deputies, notably by Léon Daudet (for Paris, 1919-1924). By now, however, many younger people considered it to be lacking in dynamism and its monarchism probably discouraged more people than it attracted. It did attract some prominent figures though, such as Robert Brasillach, Thierry Maulnier and Lucien Rebatet , and took part in the massive demonstrations in Paris on the February 6, 1934.

The Action Française greeted the appearance of the authoritarian governments of Benito Mussolini in Italy and Francisco Franco in Spain with delight. It was less happy about the Nazi Party's rise to power. The movement - like most French nationalists - regarded Germany as the major threat to France, and advocated an alliance with Italy against Germany.

Although it scarcely welcomed the German occupation in the Second World War, the establishment of an authoritarian regime under Marshal Philippe Pétain did please many Action Française supporters (Maurras described it as a "divine surprise"). Some thought that Pétain might even restore the monarchy. The Action Française's headquarters were moved from Paris to Vichy. Some of its members became active collaborators, but some joined the Resistance and the Free French Forces. Others, including Maurras, supported the Vichy government while not advocating collaboration. This was sufficient for him to be condemned to death in 1944, though he was reprieved. The Action Française ceased to exist in 1944.

5 Since the Second World War

The Action Française was re-formed by Maurice Pujo in 1947 around the magazine Aspects de la France and the movement la Restauration Nationale. In 1971 a breakaway movement, the Nouvelle Action Française was formed by Bertrand Rouvin . It subsequently became the Nouvelle Action Royaliste and supported François Mitterrand in the 1981 presidential election.

The movement still exists as the monarchist and anti- European Union Centre royaliste d'Action Française and publishes a magazine Action Française 2000.

6 External links

Official website of Action Française (in French)

French history Dreyfus affair

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