Adolf Thiers connected his life with the history of France. In addition to his political activities, he left his mark on historical science. His great dignity was the ability to get along with different people, to reconcile differences between them.
At the end of his political career, he aroused a feeling of hatred among many. Due to his short stature and large glasses on his nose, he was considered a great original. Later, in appearance and political views, detractors came up with a humiliating nickname for him. What is known about the biography of the historian and politician?
Youth
Louis Adolf Thiers was born on 04.16.1797 in Marseille. His father was a descendant of a successful bourgeois. My paternal grandfather was a lawyer, he was also the chief secretary and financial controller in Marseille. During the revolution of 1789, he was stripped of all posts, as were his mother's relatives.
Adolf's childhood passed in poverty. At school, he showed good abilities, so he could continue to study at the expense of the community. In Aix-en-Provence, he studied law, after his graduation he became a lawyer.
In 1821, Adolf moved to Paris. He began to live with Migne.
Journalistic activities
At first, Adolf Thiers and his friend were in dire need, but everything changed after the start of cooperation with one of the magazines. He began to write works on literature and art, political articles.
In 1822, a collection of articles dedicated to an art exhibition was released. The following year, a description of his journey to the south came out. The work was imbued with political views on protectionism. These works made the magazine successful, and their author was provided with financial stability.
Extensive work
At the same time, Adolf Thiers worked on his work, which describes the French Revolution. It was distinguished by its scientific nature and detail.
In The History of the French Revolution, Louis Adolf Thiers could talk about all the events in the tone of a specialist. For example, pictures of battles were described as if the author was familiar with military affairs. Adolf had an elegant presentation style. This ensured the book success among the general public.
All the works of Thiers are permeated with the idea of causality. The author believed that the revolution was not an accident, but a consequence of a chain of events. Many reproached him for fatalism, that is, a belief in the predestination of life. The author was also accused of worshiping success. He sympathized with the one who came to power. Adolf himself believed that success is crowned with real virtues. Failure is the result of errors.
Thiers book was of great political importance. At that time, society reacted negatively to the revolution, but the work breathed sympathy for what had happened, love for freedom. The first edition sold 150,000 copies. In subsequent editions, the author amended. They dealt with changes in the political views of the writer.
Political activity
In 1829, Adolf Thiers, whose brief biography is connected with the revolution, founded the newspaper together with Migne and Carrell. He published an article in which he spoke of fidelity to the Bourbons, provided that the dynasty strictly abided by the constitutional charter of 1814.
Since the government of Charles the Tenth did not want to follow the charter, Adolf announced through the newspaper about the candidacy of the Duke of Orleans to the throne. Thierre was awarded a heavy fine for this.
In 1830, an article was published about a king who does not rule his state. When the July ordinances appeared, Adolf opposed them because they violated the charter. The journalist should have been arrested.
When Louis Philippe came to power, Thiers became the representative of the Council of State. He worked in the Ministry of Finance and advocated the ideas of the revolution, demanding protection for Belgium. He also wrote a lot about freedom of the press.
In 1831, Thiers became a supporter of the conservative movement of Perrier. He was opposed to Belgium joining France, as well as any drastic reforms. The words about “freedom” began to be replaced by the words about “order”.
Then there was participation in the Ministry of 1832, participation in the massacre of the rebels in 1834, support for the September laws of 1835, which constrained the freedom of the press. In 1836 and 1840, Thiers ministries were formed, followed by activities in the opposition.
In 1845, a revolution occurred, Thiers became a Republican. During the Second Empire, he became one of the leaders of the monarchists, and in 1871 created his own government. He waged a war with the commune, for which he received the nickname "dwarf monster."
Continuation of the "History of the Revolution"
In 1845, Adolf Thiers introduced the first volumes of the History of the Consulate and Empire. In scientific terms, this work stood above the first work. The fact is that during his work, Thiers gained access to various archives. The main character of the creation was Napoleon. The author rehabilitated the ruler of France.
Presidency and death
In 1871, Adolf was elected president of France. He also remained the president of the cabinet. He managed to crush the communes and pay a significant part of military indemnities. Under his rule, France again became a great power.
In domestic politics, the president was perfectly balanced between different parties. He himself was more inclined to monarchists and clericals.
He held the following views:
- advocated a five-year military service;
- defended protectionism;
- He was an opponent of secular compulsory primary education.
In 1873, Adolf resigned, she was accepted. A few years later he was elected to the Chamber of Deputies. Many counted on his exaltation, but the biography of Adolf Thiers ended due to a stroke. It happened on September 03, 1877 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.