Page "History of France" Paragraph 243

The new constitution provided for universal male suffrage and called for a bi-cameral legislature, consisting of a Senate and a Chamber of Deputies.

The initial republic was in effect led by pro-royalists, but republicans ( the " Radicals ") and Bonapartists scrambled for power.

The first election under this new constitution – held in early 1876 – resulted in a republican victory, with 363 republicans elected as opposed to 180 monarchists.

However, 75 of the monarchists elected to the new Chamber of Deputies were Bonapartists.

The " Bonapartist threat " of a coup d ' état was an ever-present danger in these early days of the Republic.

Under the constitution, President MacMahon was required to pick a " premier " to actually lead the day-to-day affairs of the government.

The most natural leader to pick following this republican victory at the polls would have been Leon Gambetta.

However, the old Marshal was dead set against Gambetta and chose, instead, moderate Armand Dufaure.

Dufaure tried to form a government but he was quickly overthrown.

Next, Marshall MacMahon chose conservative Jules Simon.

He was too conservative for the Chamber of Deputies and Simon was forced to resign on 16 May 1877, setting the stage for the " Crisis of the Sixteenth of May.