Election of 1918
The French election of 1918 occurred at the end of the Great War as a result of the breakdown of the wartime Union Sacree that had grouped the entire French political spectrum (excepting a growing group of dissident far leftists) under one government.
The seeds of the breakdown were planted in Russia and on the Western Front. The explosive growth of anti-war sentiment after the Rhine Directive of 1916 which marked the beginning of a bloody escalation of the brutality of the Western Front combined with aspirations of social revolution spurred on by the success of the Bolsheviks. A growing section of the French population was turning its support to the radical left.
The national government attempted to deal with this trend by giving concessions that it was hoped would placate the left and drain them of support. In early 1918 many of the authoritarian 'patriotic laws' instituted in the early part of the war were repealed. Dissent became legal and anti-war activists were released from prison. Frustratingly for the government this failed to calm the left, instead just making it easier for them to operate. The now legal Union of French Bolsheviks seemed to be creating the core of a nationwide revolutionary Leninist formation whilst all manner of radical left wing groups were agitating against the regime.
The SFIO, fearing that its base would be eroded by these new leftist groups, elected Oscar Frossard as General Secretary – a man on the left of the party who could appeal to the radicals and ensure they remained true to the path of the SFIO. The move backfired, in early 1918 Frossard journeyed to Soviet Russia, like so many socialists eager to see what workers' power looked like in practise, visiting Petrograd and Moscow he observed the Soviet regime and met with many leading Bolsheviks – including Bukharin, Zinoviev and even the world's most famous man, Lenin. Rather than put him off radicalism his experience in Russia turned Frossard into a committed Leninist. Upon returning to France in April 1918 he attempted to transform SFIO policy into wholehearted support for the Russian Revolution, finding widespread support from the rank and file. The party's right, led by Leon Blum, responded to this through a coup in the leadership that expelled Frossard from the SFIO – he was joined by 12 further SFIO deputies who supported his views as well as around half of the party membership. Frossard moved to group the fractious far left into a single group – this group became known simply as Radical Left. Alongside the 12 deputies who had walked out with Frossard the group brought together another 3 deputies who had left the government earlier in the war (the only deputies to do so before Frossard's expulsion) bringing the new group's total representation in the Assembly to a not unimpressive 16 deputies. On top of this the party took roots within a section of the trade union movement, and brought well over a dozen independent groups together. It was a pluralistic and unwieldy group, a stark contrast to the iron discipline and democratic centralism of the Bolshevik Party, but it had potential to become a major concern for the state.
So long as the war raged Charles Maurras kept his Action Francaise militants in line in the name of national unity. However, with the fall of Berlin in September he quickly moved to take action – demanding that the SFIO be expelled from the national government and that the Radical Left be suppressed by any means necessary. In response to Maurras' belligerence the SFIO called for the expulsion of Action Francaise from the government. With the 3 main factions of government – the Socialists, the centrist Republicans and the Monarchists – found it increasingly impossible to work together now the common objective of defeating Germany had been accomplished the Union Sacree broke down. The Assembly agreed to call for new elections, hoping that the ballot box could settle political disputes, show the revolutionaries to be a weak minority, and give France direction in this new and confusing world order.
Action Française
Political Position: Far Right
Description:
Going into the election Action Francaise was the largest party of the National Assembly, divisions on the Left. The party had gained a significant amount of prestige through its steadfast support of the government and national unity throughout the war, it had also built up substantial links in the French military. Now that the war was over the party aimed to maximise French gains, to forever eliminate Germany as a threat to France and to combat Bolshevism at home and abroad.
Settlement in Middle East:
Since its surrender Turkey has been reduced to its Anatolian heartlands. But this is not enough, the Entente should push for greater gains. We must bring Cilicia under our direct control and place a friendly regime in power in Kurdistan. The Greeks too should be granted the Greek majority territories of Western Asia Minor and Thrace.
The British sacrificed nothing in this war, they shall not be unduly rewarded for watching Frenchmen lay down their lives. They are to gain nothing from the Ottoman Empire – Iraq shall be placed under a French sphere of influence, and the entire Levant under our direct control.
Settlement in Eastern Europe:
Since the fall of the Habsburg Empire in Galicia a Polish state has been born (Poland-Krakow) and in Czechoslovakia too an independent nation has arisen. These countries are very friendly towards France and must be given our diplomatic support against outside aggression – they will be Eastern Europe's bulwark against Bolshevism.
To the South Hungary is divided between Reds and Whites, just as in Russia. We should promise the Romanians Transylvania if they invade and crush the Reds, the Czechs, Poles and Serbs should also be encouraged to participate.
Our valiant Italian allies must be richly rewarded for their actions in the war – we will support all their claims in the Balkans at the peace conference.
Settlement in the Colonies:
The entirety of Cameroon and Togo shall be annexed by France. Rwanda-Burundi shall go to the Belgians, the Pacific Islands North of the Equator to the Japanese. The British too must be given their pound of flesh – allow them Tanganyika, Namibia and the Pacific Islands Territories South of the Equator to distribute amongst themselves and their Dominions.
Settlement in Germany:
Blue – To France
Light Blue – Plebiscite for union with France
Burgundy – To Belgium
Orange – To Denmark
Yellow – To Poland
Dark Blue – Prussia
Grey – North Germany
Brown – South Germany
Germany started this was, Germany shall be punished. We will ensure that dangerous nation is never given the power again to threaten the security of Europe's peoples.
The German state is to be shattered into three separate parts. In the South the a Catholic South German nation is to be forged – uniting Bavaria, Baden and Wurttemburg with Austria. In the East, based out of Brandenburg and Saxony, a Prussian state is to be made whilst in the remaining lands in the North and West a third German state is to be created. France will intervene, militarily if necessary, to prevent efforts at unification.
In the West of the Country the Belgians are to annex Eupen-Malady whilst all pre-war German territory West of the Rhine is to be annexed by France. Finally securing the natural borders of the French nation and ensuring our eternal safety. Moreover, the people of Luxembourg (a state created in order to maintain the balance between the French and Germans) are to be given an opportunity to unite with France via plebiscite. Finally, in the East all of Silesia, Poznan, West and East Prussia are to be annexed by Poland-Krakow. Creating a strong and contiguous state in the East that will enthusiastically support any actions against the Bolsheviks out of a desire to free their countrymen under Bolshevik rule.
Germany must accept full responsibility for the war and the German successor states pay heavy war reparations to the victorious powers. The new German states should also have their militaries limited in size.
Policy on Europe's Revolutions:
We must prevent the Bolshevist contagion from spreading! In Hungary we must form a coalition of Eastern European states that can intervene in order to crush the Reds. In Germany we shall provide military aid for the newly formed German governments in their battles to keep order in the country. Meanwhile in Russia itself we shall do everything we can to support the White Armies and all anti-Bolshevik forces. We shall also aim to intervene in the Civil War – sending some troops to fight, but we might also be able to encourage the Poles and perhaps the Romanian to invade with the goal of securing territories from the Bolsheviks. At worst we will contain the disease of socialism in Russia, at best it will be wiped out entirely.
Action Francaise stands for order and security against the socialistic tide of violence, anarchy and fear.
Foreign Policy:
France should end its alliance with the British – they have proved their uses to France and they are few. We should, however looked to build up a block of friendly continental powers – Italy, Greece, Serbia (in whatever form it takes after the war), Czechoslovakia, Romania and Poland will all look to us for leadership. On top of this our dominion over Germany and our expanded colonial Empire must be ensured. Our long term goals must be to keep the German threat muted and to build a French dominated continental block that can oppose the Bolsheviks, and be prepared to face a potential Anglo-American Axis (the Anglo-Saxon peoples, having betrayed us in war, may look to betray us in peace as well).
Domestic Policy:
We cannot be solely focussed on the enemy abroad, it is time to launch the counter revolution at home in order to crush our internal enemies and restore the French body national to one capable of bearing the great responsibilities our victory as granted us.
The Left must be crushed – the revolutionists destroyed. This Republic must come to and end and a French State, a French Kingdom, united as a single entity created. The individualist values of the Republic threaten us with a decadence that shall destroy our new found position of power if allowed to survive, the Left would leave us with no society, instead they would turn Frenchman against Frenchman in a perpetual anarchic War. The French are one people, one nation. It is time for the counter revolution! Down with the Republic!
French Section of the Workers' International (Section Française de l'Internationale Ouvrière)
- SFIO
Political Position: Left
Description:
The SFIO had lost a much of its credibility as a left wing force in the latter part of the war, as public opinion swing back against the conflict, for its continued steadfast support for the government. With the party's purge of its revolutionary elements, its identity seemed gravely changed. However the old Marxist rhetoric remained, as did the commitment to bring about socialism through the ballot box – contrasting itself with the Radical Left which it claimed would abolish democracy.
Settlement in Middle East:
We should make a lasting peace with the Turks, on top of this the former Arab lands of the Ottoman Empire should be brought together into an Federal Arab Republic with the aid and assistance of the French Republic.
Settlement in Eastern Europe:
We should look to establish sovereign Republics throughout Eastern Europe, using the principle of nationality to guide the positioning of the borders. In the South both Serbia and Montenegro should be unified with the Southern Slaves who lived under the Habsburg Empire – Italian annexations in this region should be limited to areas with Italian populations. We should give our support to the new Republics in Czechoslovakia and Poland-Krakow. However it is not our place to intervene in the affairs of Hungary. There has been enough bloodshed on this continent that France should not instigate another war by calling for an invasion of the Hungarian state.
Settlement in Colonies:
France should annex all Togo and the Cameroon – we have no overseas territorial ambitions beyond this. Let our allies dissect the German Empire as they choose.
Settlement in Germany:
Blue – To France
Burgundy – To Belgium
Orange – To Denmark
Red – To Bolshevik Lithuania
Yellow – To Poland
Green – Danzig Free City
Grey – Germany
Germany must remain a single and united country. It should not be humiliated by the treaty. Belgium shall annex Eupen-Malady, France shall reclaim Alsace-Lorraine, eliminating an internal reason for war, whilst also being granted the Saar for a period of 20 years in order to help recoup financial losses in the war. The Danish parts of North Schleswig should be returned to Denmark. In the East the predominantly Polish parts of Germany are to be granted to an independent Polish state.
Here is where an ability to engage with the new Bolshevik regime become crucial. We should negotiate with the regime over the Polish issue. Our aim is to secure a single unified Polish state – we will also aim to extend this by requesting the Bolsheviks at least look into granting independence to the Baltic States and Finland. Hopefully offers of diplomatic recognition, friendship, economic cooperation and an end to its period as a pariah state will convince the Bolsheviks to at the very least agree to a solution to the Polish Question. At best we might see a great many new Republics born that shall both make a clear end to Bolshevik Westward ambition and provide freedom to new peoples.
We should have the German regime pay light reparations to France.
Policy on Europe's Revolutions:
Our primary policy towards foreign political problems must be isolation. We cannot exert our political will on foreign nations – such an act would make us no better than the Kaiser. However we should use our diplomatic initiative to support movements that aim to bring Republican and moderate socialist governments to power who will not threaten their neighbours, will bring social stability and will be willing to seek friendship with France. Support for the SPD in Germany will be the flagship mission of this policy.
Foreign Policy:
A tangle of alliances accelerated this continent to war, we shall not make this mistake again. France should pursue a largely isolationist foreign policy. Ending the Entente entirely. However we should not spurn our new role of leadership in Europe. Encouraging peace, respect for internationally recognised borders and freedom for oppressed national groups. This was truly the war to end all wars, let us ensure that all the peoples of Europe agree with our sentiment.
Domestic Policy:
We must radically change our policies on the home front. Investment in new and better housing and infrastructure, state ownership over key industries and the expansion of that industrial sector in order to ensure full employment, greater wages, better working conditions, shorter hours – these are all goals of a SFIO government. All this will, admittedly, require a significant degree of military disarmament, making our diplomacy even more crucial. But what was the point of this war if we do not benefit the lives of ordinary, working class, Frenchmen? To abandon the veterans to poverty and hopelessness would be the ultimate insult to these heroes.
National Block (Bloc National)
Political Position: Centre-Right
Description:
Whilst the SFIO and Action Francaise left the unified national government the Centrist Republican parties chose to remain united under the National Block. This Block espoused a moderate Republicanism, strongly opposed to Bolshevism and radical social change that would bring instability and likely violence back to the home front and in favour of improving the French economy through support for business. The Block was also aggressive in its desires at the peace conference – calling for a significant weakening of Germany, in order to ensure it would never again be a threat, and for not insignificant territorial gains.
Settlement in Middle East:
We should seek a lasting peace with the Turkish state – this regime could be a useful ally against Bolshevik ambitions. We should establish direct control over Syria and Lebanon with Iraq falling under our sphere of influence. We can grant Palestine and Transjordan to the British in order to placate our 'allies'.
Settlement in Eastern Europe:
Italy's Balkan ambitions are to be wholeheartedly supported. Czechoslovakia, Poland-Krakow, Serbia and Romania are all to be regarded as close friends in the new order. These Eastern European states should be encouraged to intervene in Hungary against the Reds. They will make up the bulwark of our future anti-Bolshevik block in Europe.
Settlement in Colonies:
We must secure Togo and Cameroon. The British can divide the rest of the German Empire as they see fit.
Settlement in Germany:
Blue – To France
Light Blue – Plebiscite on Union with France
Burgundy – to Belgium
Orange – to Denmark
Yellow – to Poland-Krakow
Grey – Germany
France shall advance its border up to the Rhine – capturing vital potential war making industries of the Germans and securing our eternal safety behind this natural border of the French Republic. Belgium will annex Eupen-Malady and Luxembourg shall be granted the opportunity to choose whether or not to unite with France in a Plebiscite. The Northern, Danish, part of Schleswig shall be returned to Denmark. In the East Poland shall be granted sovereignty over the Polish majority regions as well as areas with substantial Polish populations in order to create a contiguous state with Poland-Krakow. We will encourage Poland to seek the unification of their lands through any means necessary – promising whatever material or diplomatic support they require to unite their country.
Policy of Europe's Revolutions:
The Revolutions are a grave danger to the security of the continent, and the future of European civilisation. The victory of Bolshevism shall send us all into an era of darkness. This is why it is vital that we offer our friendship and material support to those willing to fight against the Bolshevik extremists across the world. However, after such losses, we cannot intervene directly with troops – our nation cannot survive another war.
Foreign Policy:
In spite of their conduct during the war the British are a valuable ally to have in this unstable world. We should maintain the Entente so that France and Britain, together, can project our power on the world stage. The effective destruction of the French fleet means that it will be years before we can project power beyond Europe without the assistance of the Royal Navy. Meanwhile, in Europe we must take a leadership role and keep the British from interfering with our hegemony. Supporting friendship with the likes of the Italians, Greeks, Serbs, Romanians, Czechoslovakians and Poles is vital to our mission of ensuring the peaceful maintenance of our post war order that will at once keep the ambitions of aggressive nations like Germany and Soviet Russia mooted whilst also being able to form an international alliance committed to order against revolutionary chaos.
Domestic Policy:
We must keep the dissidents within our Republic under close watch. However we cannot tamper with our democratic institutions during peacetime without threatening the very integrity of the Republic. Until the Radical Left moved to illegal action we cannot make a move to disband it.
We should instead look to rebuild our country and our economy through support for our industrialists. France must have a strong economy if she is to move forward in her role as the leader of Europe.
Radical Left (Gauche Radicale)
Political Position: Far Left
Description:
The Radical Left was formed in 1918 from a hodgepodge of leftist groups united only in their beliefs that the Russian Revolution and that the war was not. Dominated by explicitly Leninist factions – the hardened revolutionaries of the Union of French Bolsheviks (men who had actively engaged against the French state during the war) and those who followed former SFIO General Secretary, and now the leader of the group, Oscar Frossard – Radical Left's central agenda was mostly clear. Support for the Russian Revolution, support for the spread of that Revolution to Europe and to France.
Peace Settlements:
From the peace settlements France will seek only to return Alsace-Lorraine after a near half century of foreign occupation. Beyond this France will support the national self determination of all peoples.
French Empire:
The Radical Left shall give national self determination to all peoples of the Empire. The old colonial Empire of France shall cease to be, instead new natively run regimes shall be put in place with French assistance. France shall strive to ensure that these new regimes work towards the socialist transformation of their societies – the Russian example has proven that undeveloped countries can indeed move towards socialism and we cannot deny this opportunity to the colonial peoples.
Policy to Europe's Revolutions:
Revolutionaries across the continent must be supported emphatically. We shall align ourselfs with Soviet Russia, back the Reds in Hungary, the Spartacists in Germany and support any insurrection undertaken by the Italian workers. Workers of the World Unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains!
Internal Policy:
We must bring all the means of production under common ownership, abolishing capitalism and instituting working class power. The National Assembly shall remain in place, but power shall be delineated downwards to the level of local working class councils, Soviets in the Russian lexicon that we are becoming so familiar with. It is at the local level with direct workers control over their communities and places of work that socialism shall be built.
Comrades come rally! The last fight let us face! The Internationale, shall unite the human race!
All reader must either vote for:
Action Francaise
SFIO
National Block
Radical Left
! You may write the full name or the French name of any party, so long as it is clear to me who you are voting for !
Please place your vote in a separate post or bold it within your post so it is easier for me to keep a tally.
Once again, spamming is not tolerated, you may not campaign outside this thread and I ask that you remain civil with each other.
Voting will close on Friday at 10:30 UK time, I will post in this thread to officially close the polls and return with the results shortly later.
With that out of the way, get voting!!! 
