Page "History of France" Paragraph 218

Because of the constant threats to the throne, the July Monarchy began to rule with a stronger and stronger hand.

Soon political meetings were outlawed.

However, " banquets " were still legal and all through 1847, there was a nation-wide campaign of democracy and / or republican banquets.

The climaxing banquet was scheduled for 22 February 1848 in Paris but the government banned it.

In response citizens of all classes poured out onto the streets of Paris in a revolt against the July Monarchy.

Demands were made for abdication of " Citizen King " Louis-Philippe and for establishment of a representative democracy in France.

Representative classes in this revolt included the full range of French society from the industrial bourgeoisie ( who had been excluded from the " finance aristocracy " that formed the major part of the bourgeoisie that supported the July Monarchy ), the petty bourgeoisie and the workers.

Louis-Philippe abdicated, and the French Second Republic was proclaimed.

A Constituent Assembly was elected which was seated in Paris.

Alphonse Marie Louis de Lamartine, who had been a leader of the moderate republicans in France during the 1840s became the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Provisional Government that was established by this Assembly.

In reality Lamartine was the virtual head of government in 1848.