1968: The Global Revolutions

The uprisings in France were distinguished by the extent to which workers, students, and even many middle-class professionals, joined together to carry out a devastatingly effective general strike. Beginning with student protests tied to campus issues, the unrest spread to spontaneous factory strikes, and then earned the endorsement of some of the nation’s most powerful unions. Public statements released by these organizations invariably stressed the unity of students and workers in their struggles against the repressive and authoritarian De Gaulle regime. This combination of actors seemed poised to effect structural change on the national level. After a month-long general strike brought France’s economy nearly to a halt, De Gaulle – refusing to resign – instead called for a national election. Marshaling conservative forces, the government was able to secure its hold on power. By late June, the activist surge had largely quieted.