This book is an essential introduction to the major political problems, debates and conflicts which are central to the history of the Third Republic in France, from the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1 to the fall of France in June 1940. Illuminating the contemporary issues of the day through a wealth of primary sources including memoir literature, personal correspondence, parliamentary debates, public speeches, contemporary newspapers, and government documents. The Third Republic in France, 1870-1940 provides an engrossing first-hand account of life in this defining period of French history. This book provides original sources, detailed commentary and helpful chronologies and bibliographies on: the emergence of the regime and the Paris Commune of 1871 Franco-German relations the character of the Third Republic and the nature of French Republicanism and Socialism anti-Semitism and the Dreyfus Affair the role of women and the importance of the national birth-rate the character of the French Right and of French fascism.