Gambetta, Léon

(1838-1882)

   political figure

   Born in Cahors, Léon Gambetta, who is considered one of France's most notable orators, statesmen, and patriots, played a leading role in the formation of the third republic. A lawyer, he was educated in Paris and, through articles and speeches, soon became known for his opposition to the regime of napoléon III. In 1868, in a particularly pointed speech, he attacked the coup d'état of 1851. This speech made Gambetta famous. Elected to the Chamber of Deputies in 1869, he at first opposed the French declaration of war in 1870 against Prussia, but once the conflict began, he vigorously supported his nation's cause. On September 4, 1870, after the defeat of French forces at Sedan, he led the Parisian republicans in proclaiming a republic. When the Germans invaded Paris, he escaped in a hot-air balloon and went to Tours. There, as dictated by popular consent, he assumed direction of the nation's affairs and of the war. After the French surrender at Metz, which he considered an act of treason, Gambetta refused to sign the peace treaty and, after the German annexation of alsace-lorraine, resigned from the provisional government with a number of other deputies, including victor HuGo. one of the most radical members of the National Assembly, Gambetta founded La République française, which became an influential newspaper in which he strongly opposed any attempts to restore the monarchy (see edme mac-mahon). In 1879, Gambetta became president of the Chamber of Deputies and, in 1881, premier of France. His ministry lasted only two months, however, because his policies, which were centered on the formation of a strong executive government, were unpopular with almost all political factions. See also franco-prussian war.