French Politics in WWI: Coalition Unity and Total War

French politics during World War I transformed through the Union Sacrée, a national political truce bridging deep ideological divides. Initially led by René Viviani, the government faced political instability, economic disruption, and severe military pressure, leading to frequent cabinet shifts. Parliamentary oversight remained vital in balancing civil authority against military leadership. By 1917, as war weariness, industrial strikes, and mutinies threatened national morale, the political landscape consolidated under decisive civilian control. Georges Clemenceau’s accession marked a pivot toward total war, suppressing defeatism and mobilizing every domestic resource until total victory was secured.

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