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The Paris Commune

This series of slides shows key figures and events during the Paris Commune of 18 March - 28 May 1871. The Paris Commune was a revolutionary government which was initially elected as the city council ("commune"), but later declared itself to have authority to rule all France. It was violently suppressed by the regular French army in "the bloody week" of 21-28 May 1871. The final slides in the talk show a march in the 1920s or early 1930s to commemorate the Paris Commune, possibly on the 50th or 60th anniversary.

Unfortunately Henry Sara's notes for this talk haven't survived, but we have been able to add captions to some of the slides by using various sources, including some of the books from which Sara took his illustrations. Henry Sara wrote an article on the Paris Commune ('The March Past') for the Communist Review of March 1926 - this has also been reproducedLink opens in a new window and may give some idea of the arguments put forward during his lantern lecture (please contact us if you are unable to access the information in pdf format).

Reproduction for any purpose (publication, exhibition, web display, commercial use, etc.) is only permissible with the consent of the Modern Records Centre. Please contact us for more information.

  • The Paris Commune, 1871
    The Paris Commune, 1871
  • Cross section of the streets of Paris, showing sewers
    Cross section of the streets of Paris, showing sewers
  • 'Types de la Commune: Mobile de 48' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
    'Types de la Commune: Mobile de 48' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
  • 'Types de la Commune: Orateur de Boulevard' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
    'Types de la Commune: Orateur de Boulevard' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
  • 'Types de la Commune: La Barricade' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
    'Types de la Commune: La Barricade' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
  • 'Types de la Commune: Petroleuses' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
    'Types de la Commune: Petroleuses' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
  • 'Types de la Commune: Marin Petroleur' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
    'Types de la Commune: Marin Petroleur' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
  • 'Types de la Commune: Un Pointeur' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
    'Types de la Commune: Un Pointeur' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
  • 'Types de la Commune: Federes (Menilmontant-Charonne)' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
    'Types de la Commune: Federes (Menilmontant-Charonne)' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
  • 'Impressments in the streets of Paris' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    'Impressments in the streets of Paris' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • 'A raid on the Little Sisters of the Poor' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    'A raid on the Little Sisters of the Poor' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • 'Federal visit to the Little Sisters of the Poor' [illustration from ‘Paris under the Commune: The Seventy-Three Days of the Second Siege’ by John Leighton]
    'Federal visit to the Little Sisters of the Poor' [illustration from ‘Paris under the Commune: The Seventy-Three Days of the Second Siege’ by John Leighton]
  • France at war
    France at war
  • Prince Louis Napoleon Bonaparte
    Prince Louis Napoleon Bonaparte
  • Léon Gambetta
    Léon Gambetta
  • Léon Gambetta in his campaign
    Léon Gambetta in his campaign
  • Léon Gambetta escapes from Paris by balloon ('L'Armand-Barbes')
    Léon Gambetta escapes from Paris by balloon ('L'Armand-Barbes')
  • Adolphe Thiers
    Adolphe Thiers
  • Jules Favre
    Jules Favre
  • Cartoon portraying Jules Favre in tears
    Cartoon portraying Jules Favre in tears
  • Enrolment of volunteers outside the Panthéon, Paris
    Enrolment of volunteers outside the Panthéon, Paris
  • Siege of Paris
    Siege of Paris
  • Louis Auguste Blanqui
    Louis Auguste Blanqui
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  • Gustave Flourens
    Gustave Flourens
  • 'Types de la Commune: Membre de la Commune, Le citoyen Valles aux barricades de la place Vendome' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
    'Types de la Commune: Membre de la Commune, Le citoyen Valles aux barricades de la place Vendome' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
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  • Louis Charles Delescluze
    Louis Charles Delescluze
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  • Hotel de Ville, Paris, 22 January 1871
    Hotel de Ville, Paris, 22 January 1871
  • A cannon on the Butte Montmartre
    A cannon on the Butte Montmartre
  • Map showing military positions around Paris and Versailles
    Map showing military positions around Paris and Versailles
  • 18 March 1871: 'The affray on the Place Pigalle' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    18 March 1871: 'The affray on the Place Pigalle' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • 18 March 1871
    18 March 1871
  • 18 March 1871
    18 March 1871
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  • Crowd outside the Hôtel de Ville of Paris, the headquarters of the Commune
    Crowd outside the Hôtel de Ville of Paris, the headquarters of the Commune
  • Altered photograph, showing members of the Commune and general officers
    Altered photograph, showing members of the Commune and general officers
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  • The Hôtel de Ville of Paris, headquarters of the Commune
    The Hôtel de Ville of Paris, headquarters of the Commune
  • 'Types de la Commune: Vengeurs de Flourens' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
    'Types de la Commune: Vengeurs de Flourens' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
  • Yaroslav Dombrowski [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    Yaroslav Dombrowski [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • Yaroslav Dombrowski
    Yaroslav Dombrowski
  • The barricades of 18 March 1871
    The barricades of 18 March 1871
  • The barricades of 18 March 1871
    The barricades of 18 March 1871
  • The barricades of 18 March 1871
    The barricades of 18 March 1871
  • Barricades, Rue des Batignolles
    Barricades, Rue des Batignolles
  • 'Sapping the base of the Vendome Column' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    'Sapping the base of the Vendome Column' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • 16 May 1871: 'The fall of the Vendome column' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    16 May 1871: 'The fall of the Vendome column' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • The statue of Napoleon I from the top of the Place Vendome column
    The statue of Napoleon I from the top of the Place Vendome column
  • Illustration showing the statue of Napoleon I from the top of the Place Vendome column
    Illustration showing the statue of Napoleon I from the top of the Place Vendome column
  • 'Burning the guillotine on the Place Voltaire' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    'Burning the guillotine on the Place Voltaire' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • 'Aux grands hommes, la patrie reconnaissante': The Panthéon, Paris
    'Aux grands hommes, la patrie reconnaissante': The Panthéon, Paris
  • International Democratic Association poster for great republican demonstration in Hyde Park, London, 16 April 1871, in honour of the Paris Commune
    International Democratic Association poster for great republican demonstration in Hyde Park, London, 16 April 1871, in honour of the Paris Commune
  • 'Types de la Commune: Officier de Marine (Le Commandant Durassier)' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
    'Types de la Commune: Officier de Marine (Le Commandant Durassier)' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
  • 'Types de la Commune: Le Citoyen Protot, Ministre de la Justice (M Rousse, batonnier de l'ordre des avocats, vient demander a defendre l'Archeveque et M Chaudey)' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
    'Types de la Commune: Le Citoyen Protot, Ministre de la Justice (M Rousse, batonnier de l'ordre des avocats, vient demander a defendre l'Archeveque et M Chaudey)' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
  • 'Types de la Commune: Costume de General en Chef (Bergeret lui-meme)' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
    'Types de la Commune: Costume de General en Chef (Bergeret lui-meme)' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
  • Paschal Grousset and Frédéric Étienne Cournet [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    Paschal Grousset and Frédéric Étienne Cournet [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • 'Types de la Commune: Le Prefet de Police (Le citoyen Raoul Rigault)' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
    'Types de la Commune: Le Prefet de Police (Le citoyen Raoul Rigault)' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
  • Théophile Ferré [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    Théophile Ferré [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • Théophile Ferré [illustration by Bertall]
    Théophile Ferré [illustration by Bertall]
  • Louis-Nathaniel Rossel and Henri Rochefort [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    Louis-Nathaniel Rossel and Henri Rochefort [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • Anthime Dupont and Eugene Protot [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    Anthime Dupont and Eugene Protot [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • Simon Dereure and Fontaine [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    Simon Dereure and Fontaine [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
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  • 'The arrest of Archbishop Darboy' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    'The arrest of Archbishop Darboy' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • 'Types de la Commune: Peloton d'Arrestation (Un Otage)' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
    'Types de la Commune: Peloton d'Arrestation (Un Otage)' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
  • 'Removing the bodies of the Archbishop and other hostages' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    'Removing the bodies of the Archbishop and other hostages' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • 21 May 1871
    21 May 1871
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  • 'A barricade at Neuilly' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    'A barricade at Neuilly' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • 28 May 1871
    28 May 1871
  • 'Return of the wounded to Paris' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    'Return of the wounded to Paris' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • 'The defence of the guardhouse of the Elysée Palace' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    'The defence of the guardhouse of the Elysée Palace' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • 'The destruction of the Ministry of Finances, Rue de Rivoli' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    'The destruction of the Ministry of Finances, Rue de Rivoli' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • 'Paris in flames' - The Tuileries on the left, the Cour des Comptes on the right [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    'Paris in flames' - The Tuileries on the left, the Cour des Comptes on the right [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • 'Soldiers firing on insurgents from the housetops' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    'Soldiers firing on insurgents from the housetops' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
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  • 'The Hotel de Ville after the conflagration' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    'The Hotel de Ville after the conflagration' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • 'Types de la Commune: Le Ministre de la Guerre (Le citoyen Delescluze)' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
    'Types de la Commune: Le Ministre de la Guerre (Le citoyen Delescluze)' [illustration from 'Les Communeux 1871. Types, caracteres, costumes' by Bertall]
  • Eugene Varlin
    Eugene Varlin
  • Adolphe Thiers
    Adolphe Thiers
  • Gaston Alexandre Auguste, Marquis de Gallifet, a French general who took part in the supression of the Paris Commune
    Gaston Alexandre Auguste, Marquis de Gallifet, a French general who took part in the supression of the Paris Commune
  • Cartoon of General Gallifet
    Cartoon of General Gallifet
  • Cartoon of General Gallifet
    Cartoon of General Gallifet
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  • 27 May 1871
    27 May 1871
  • Illustration showing the bodies of executed Communards
    Illustration showing the bodies of executed Communards
  • Illustration showing the bodies of executed Communards
    Illustration showing the bodies of executed Communards
  • 'Bodies of insurgents photographed at a cemetery' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    'Bodies of insurgents photographed at a cemetery' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
  • Outside the Hôtel de Ville
    Outside the Hôtel de Ville
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  • 'Executions of Rossel, Bourgeois and Ferré at Satory' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
    'Executions of Rossel, Bourgeois and Ferré at Satory' [illustration from 'My adventures in the Commune, Paris 1871' by Ernest Alfred Vizetelly]
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  • Louise Michel
    Louise Michel
  • Louise Michel
    Louise Michel
  • 2 September 1871
    2 September 1871
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  • The Communards Wall at the Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris: a memorial which marks the site of the shooting of 147 Communards on 28 May 1871
    The Communards Wall at the Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris: a memorial which marks the site of the shooting of 147 Communards on 28 May 1871
  • The Communards Wall at the Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris
    The Communards Wall at the Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris
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  • Commemoration of the Paris Commune (1920s or 1930s)
    Commemoration of the Paris Commune (1920s or 1930s)
  • Commemoration of the Paris Commune (1920s or 1930s)
    Commemoration of the Paris Commune (1920s or 1930s)
  • Commemoration of the Paris Commune (1920s or 1930s)
    Commemoration of the Paris Commune (1920s or 1930s)
  • Commemoration of the Paris Commune (1920s or 1930s)
    Commemoration of the Paris Commune (1920s or 1930s)
  • Commemoration of the Paris Commune (1920s or 1930s)
    Commemoration of the Paris Commune (1920s or 1930s)

[Document reference for this set of slides: MSS.15B/5/1/11]