The Popular Front in Dijon and Côte-d’Or
The context
In 1935, the various left-wing political forces came together to block fascist ideas and get the French out of unemployment. Has Dijon, Robert jadillier member of the SFIO (French Section of the Workers’ International), a former Socialist Party, is elected to the seat of mayor. He will also be Minister of Posts, Telegraphs and Telephones between 1936 and 1937 in the government of Leon Blum.
July 14, 1935
This is the date of the official birth of the Popular Front. In Dijon and in the largest cities of France, the left parties are committed to unite for “Bread, Peace and Freedom“. In the capital of Burgundy they are several thousand to demonstrate in the streets on 14 1935. After the victory of the Popular Front in the legislative elections of 1936, the first strikes Appear. One of the best known in Côte-d’Or concerns the Terrot factories.
Employer reactions
The strikes of 1936 are very supported by the population. In Dijon, the municipality even provides meals to strikers occupying their factories. On the side of employers, some directors factory are both surprised by the movement and threatening.
The fall of the Popular Front
Inheritance of the Popular Front in our current society is still very visible: the right to strike, parades, paid vacations, birth of the SNCF etc. In 1937, the number of members for the trade union and political organizations of the left. In Côte-d’Or, the SFIO increases to 3000 members. Then, after two years in power, the Radicals retired from the majority and abandon the other left forces. One of the last events of the Popular Front is the general strike of November 30, 1938 organized by the CGT. 800,000 workers are made redundant in all of France.
To go further
History of the Popular Front, Jean Vigreux – 2016
The Popular Front in France, Serge Wolikow – 1999