French Republicans under the Restoration

During the Restoration, the French Republicans campaigned for the monarchy's abolition. They were excluded from decision-making due to an electoral system that favored the bourgeoisie and nobility, supporters of the regime. Nevertheless, they were present in the Chamber of Deputies from 1816, following the dissolution of the Chambre introuvable (Unobtainable Chamber), which had decimated their ranks. Gradually, the Republicans established themselves as a political force; however, this was disrupted by the assassination of the king's nephew, the Duke of Berry, heir to the throne, on 14 February 1820, which prompted the government to implement repressive measures.

The Republican movement originated in secrecy, gathering its supporters in clandestine societies such as the Carbonari and disseminating its ideology through the press. In 1820, confronted with the Restoration's rightward trajectory, Republicans resolved to overthrow the monarchy and planned several insurrections, all of which failed, leading to the exile of key leaders or exemplary trials resulting in capital punishment.

Following these unsuccessful attempts to seize power, the Republicans rebuilt from within with the arrival of a new generation at the start of Charles X's reign. The idea of an alliance with moderate royalists emerged in response to the reactionary measures taken by Villèle and Charles X. Moderates joined clandestine societies, while Republicans collaborated with the liberal press. The success of this alliance in the 1827 legislative elections reinforced their belief that it would one day enable them to gain power.

The situation intensified following the appointment of the Count of Polignac as head of the government. Republicans clandestinely organized a new insurrection and played a pivotal role in the Three Glorious Days; however, Adolphe Thiers and the liberals redirected the revolution to their advantage, resulting in the establishment of a second parliamentary monarchy rather than a republic.