Following the French surrender to Prussia in January 1871, concluding the Franco-Prussian War, the transitional Government of National Defense establishes a new seat of government at Versailles due to the encirclement of Paris by Prussian forces.

New representatives are elected in February of this year, constituting the government which will come to evolve into the Third Republic.

These representatives—predominantly conservative republicans—enact a series of legislation that prompts resistance and outcry from radical and leftist elements of the republican movement.

In Paris, a series of public altercations breaks out between the Versailles-aligned Parisian government and the city's radical socialists.

The radicals ultimately reject the authority of Versailles, responding with the foundation of the Paris Commune in March.