Descriptive Summary
Important Information for Researchers
Historical Background
Collection Scope and Content Summary
Collection Arrangement
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: Paris student revolt collection
Date: 1968-1969
Collection Number: MS-M016
Collector: Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine.
Extent:
1.4 linear feet
(1 box and 10 oversized folders)
Languages: The collection is primarily in French. One item is in English.
Repository:
University of California, Irvine. Library. Special Collections and Archives.
Irvine, California 92623-9557
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.
Important Information for Researchers
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.
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.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
General Strike, France, 1968 -- Archives.
Riots -- France -- Paris -- Archives.
Strikes and lockouts -- France -- Paris -- Archives.
Socialism -- France -- Paris -- Archives.
Students -- France -- Paris -- Political activity -- Archives.
France -- Politics and government -- 1958-1969 -- Archives.
Genres and Formats of Materials
Broadsides -- 20th century.
Programs -- 20th century.
Newspapers -- 20th century.
Fliers (Printed matter) -- 20th century.
No online items
