Notable Members
Despite the hopes of revolutionary, radical left-wing politicians in Paris, the Government of National Defence was composed almost entirely of middle-class, conservative men, who were already Deputies in the National Assembly representing Paris constituencies. When offered the post of President, Jules Trochu accepted it based on the Assembly's promise that they would "resolutely defend religion, property, and the family".
- General Louis Jules Trochu, President of the Government
- Léon Gambetta, Minister of the Interior and Minister of War
- Jules Favre, Vice-President, Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Ernest Picard, Minister of Finance
- Admiral Fourichon, Minister of the Navy
- Jules Ferry, Prefect of the Seine
- Jules Simon, Minister of Education
- Gaston Crémieux, Minister of Justice
- Étienne Arago, Mayor of Paris
- Gustave Dorian, Minister of Works and Armaments Production
- Henri Rochefort, Minister without Portfolio (Rochefort was accepted into the government after the attempted coup of October 31 as a show of good faith to extremist Republicans, but resigned his position in November 1870)
The new government was almost entirely middle-class, and citizens of Paris wondered how long the uneasy alliance between the revolutionary left-wing Republicans and the conservative right-wing Republicans would last. The Government of National Defence quickly received official recognition from leading world powers in the following days, except from Prussia. The Prussian Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, was concerned that the new body could not act as France's government, as it was composed entirely of men from Paris, without any consideration being given to the rest of France. This was not a great concern to the Government though, as its members intended to continue the war against Prussia.
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