Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Processing History
Historical Background
Collection Scope and Content Summary
Collection Arrangement
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine
Libraries
Title: Paris student revolt collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS.M.016
Physical Description:
1.4 Linear Feet
(1 box and 10 oversized folders) and 0.3 unprocessed linear
feet
Date (inclusive): 1968-1969
Abstract: This collection comprises materials
documenting the protests and general strike that took place in France in 1968 when Parisian
students and workers protested against American involvement in Vietnam, as well as for a
better educational system and working class rights. The collection includes periodicals,
handbills, fliers and programs publicizing demonstrations. All items, except for one
handbill (in English), are in French.
Language of Material:
French .
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by
the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or to publish,
please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.
Preferred Citation
Paris Student Revolt Collection. MS-M016. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine
Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information
about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder
descriptions, and box/folder locations.
Acquisition Information
Acquired, 1971.
Processing History
Processed by Adrian Turner and Karen Rosen, 2002.
Historical Background
On May 3, 1968, student protesters from The University of Paris X--Nanterre met with
students at the Sorbonne to discuss left-wing politics and the upcoming trial of the
Nanterre students for earlier protests. As the crowd of students grew, authorities panicked
and police were called in to surround the campus. Many students were arrested and the
Sorbonne was closed. The National Union of French Students and the Lecturers' Union called a
strike. This began a series of protests, riots, and strikes in which police brutally
attacked protestors. The intransigence of the French government and the tactics of police
resulted in strong pro-student sentiment in Paris, and during a demonstration major labor
unions in France and the Communist Party all called for a general strike on May 13, 1968.
The general strike soon spread to factories, French railways, industry, communications and
education networks. The strike lasted through June 1968 when French President Charles De
Gaulle called for a national referendum.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
This collection comprises materials documenting the protests and general strike that took
place in France in 1968 when Parisian students and workers protested against American
involvement in Vietnam, as well as for a better educational system and working class rights.
The collection includes periodicals, handbills, fliers and programs publicizing
demonstrations. All items, except for one handbill (in English), are in French. The
newspapers are from independent (primarily socialist and worker's union) and student
presses.
Collection Arrangement
This collection is arranged alphabetically by format, then title. Accession 2018.028, an
unprocessed addition to the collection, is listed at the end of the finding aid.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Riots -- France -- Paris -- History -- Sources
General Strike, France, 1968 -- Archives.
Socialism -- France -- Paris -- History -- Sources
Strikes and lockouts -- France -- Paris -- Archives.
Fliers (Printed matter) -- 20th century.
Newspapers -- 20th century.
France -- Politics and government -- 1958-1969 -- Archives.
Students -- France -- Paris -- Political activity
Programs -- 20th century.
Broadsides -- 20th century.