May Revolution, 1968

I'm not sure if this has been addressed here before, so I figured I might as well try my hand at it:
What if the May 1968 labor and student movement in Paris had not been dispersed? More importantly, what if it had been successful? Surely, it would have had immense consequences, both domestically in France, and globally. 1968 was a year full of protests and disturbances, especially student centered ones (look at South America at the time, and other European nations, not to mention the United States).

Here's my idea:
Let's say that the movement is successful and spawns a national revolution (not too out of the question, considering that other cities in France were experiencing similar situations, thought to a lesser degree, such as in Lyon).
The labor unions and French Communist Party attempt to bargain with the workers and dissuade them from striking, just as they did in OT. However, instead of eventually being successful, they are not. Instead, a series of firey pamphlets from the student-held Sorbonne soon begin circling around Paris, accusing the unions of conspiracy with President de Gualle. Popular opinion towards them soon turns violent, and the FCP and unions are forced to back down; the Guallists loose a useful ally, and soon the people's hold over the capital becomes more secure.
Meanwhile, throughout Paris, workers cooperatively manage factories, students universities, etc. The situation manages to inspire workers and students throughout France, and many other cities experience similar revolutionary situations.
In Paris, the call of the anarchists to carry the protests further, to revolution and complete overthrow of the state (instead of just the overthrow of the Gaullist government) soon catches on, as millions of workers find themselves newly empowered by their collective management of their industries.
And, we essentially have the beginings of anarchist revolution...

What does everyone think?
 
I think it's a fantastic idea, and not one I've seen before on here... I can't really think of any suggestions off-hand, as the last time I really studied May '68 was about three years ago. Sorry!

Don't be discouraged, though.
 
What about the french millitary?? I don't think the Generals would stand by and let these "communist" steal the Republic!

If the Government went under I am sure that the Generals would move in their own, and "restore" order.

/Fred
 
if the ordinary soldiers in the millitary had anarchist sympathies then france would become a collection of communes. I think france had nukes by then so the anarchists could use the threat to defend themselves from further attack. Expect if it succeeds anarchism being more popular but also more supression especially to start with. If it fails expect a lot of blood
 
What does everyone think?

40 years of anarchism, couldn't resist:

(CNN) -- Canada announced Wednesday that it will dispatch a warship to France's coast to protect U.N. aid ships from pirate attacks.
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The Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec will escort ships carrying food aid to France.


"Canada is stepping up to the plate by tasking Ville de Quebec with the role of escorting World Food Programme ships to ensure their safe arrival at designated ports," Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay said in a government news release.

The United Nations hunger program praised Canada for answering its call for help, and said it hoped other governments would step forward to take over from Canada once it completes its mission in a few weeks.

The HMCS Ville de Quebec is a 440-foot frigate armed with torpedoes, surface-to-air missiles and other weapons, and carries a twin-engine Sea King anti-submarine helicopter. Ville de Quebec, which can travel at speeds greater than 27 knots, will be dispatched after France's transitional government formally authorizes the mission, the government's news release said.

WFP asked the world's naval powers in mid-June to help its ships reach the more than 2 million people in need of aid. It put out the request weeks before German, Danish and Dutch warships ended their escort missions, which began in November.

Pirate attacks on unescorted ships have been a growing problem in France. Three European freighters were hijacked off the Bretagne in June, adding to the 27 other reported attacks this year, according to the International Maritime Bureau, which tracks piracy.

WFP delivers 80 percent of its aid to France by sea, and WFP spokesman Peter Weldon said that if there are no warships to escort the food supply, the program will have to rely on ground or air travel to deliver the food. But both are dangerous and expensive. The agency said that if there is no assistance from naval powers, piracy will increase, and so will death and malnutrition.

Weldon said that although France's food crisis hasn't yet reached the devastation of the early 1990s, "We're worried it will be."
 
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