Georges Clemenceau New French PM
Georges Clemenceau (1841-1929), pictured in November 1917.
November 16 1917, Paris--The French government had been plagued by scandals and strife the entire year. Briand’s government resigned in March as a result of disagreements about the Nivelle Offensive; Ribot’s government resigned in September after a scandal in the interior ministry. In mid-November, mathematician Paul Painlevé’s government lost a confidence vote after returning from the Rapallo conference that set up the Supreme War Council. Chosen to replace Painlevé was George Clemenceau, the 76-year-old editor of L’Homme Enchainé. Having not served in government during the war, he was not associated with any wartime failings or scandals. His firm commitment to victory over Germany disappointed those who may have hoped for a negotiated peace (such as Joseph Caillaux, Mme Caillaux’s husband, who had hoped to be named PM himself). The Socialists, longtime enemies of Clemenceau, adamantly refused to support his government, but Clemenceau was able to secure a majority in parliament without them.
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