In 1968, France, a country that had recovered rapidly from the war and entered prosperity, experienced unprecedented social upheaval in that year. The Fifth Republic established a strong political system under the leadership of Charles de Gaulle, the French economy flourished, and the standard of living of the people improved significantly. It is beneath this seemingly calm surface that a political storm is brewing from a young student population. It was not only a protest against education and lifestyle, but also a movement to challenge authority and tradition, which eventually evolved into the "May Storm" that affected the entire Western world.
In the spring of 1968, a revolutionary tension was in the air in Paris. One day in January, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the new swimming pool of the Institut Nanterre of the University of Paris, to which the French Minister of Youth and Sports, François Misofo, was invited. At the ceremony, Minister Misofo's speech was uneventful, and most of the students present showed obvious impatience.
As Minister Misofouf finished his speech, an ordinary-looking student stepped forward: Danny Cohen Bundy. Danny asked bluntly, "Mr. Minister, why don't we discuss the issue of gender segregation?" "The question clearly touched many of the students present, who were aware of the strict gender segregation policies on campus.
Misofau, apparently caught off guard by the sudden questioning, replied awkwardly: "If you can't control yourself, jump into the pool and cool down." This rude answer immediately infuriated Danny, who sharply retorted: "What is the difference between this approach and the Hitler Youth?" ”
As soon as these words came out, the audience boiled. The students began to shout, "Down with the gender segregation!" Faced with the escalating situation, Minister Misofo left the scene in a hurry. The incident quickly spread among students in Paris, provoking wider discontent.
As discontent spread, Danny and some like-minded students began to organize and plan larger demonstrations. On February 14, students from several universities, led by the University of Paris, launched a strike to demand the abolition of the current dormitory management system. In the face of student outcry, Education Minister Alain Perefit eventually relented and allowed boys and girls to visit each other more freely.
The movement is so much more than that. By May, the protests had rapidly escalated into a nationwide political crisis. The students' demands expanded from campus issues to broader issues such as social inequality, political freedom, and anti-war. The street demonstrations gradually escalated into large-scale strikes, joined by people from all walks of life, including workers, teachers, and artists. The streets of Paris are filled with burning tires and barricades of cars.
In one particularly fierce standoff, a young worker stood in front of a barricade and shouted at the charging police: "We don't just want more pay, we want to change lives!" This sentence is like a spark that ignites the hearts of more people. The government's response appeared inadequate, and de Gaulle's government appeared rather passive in the crisis, with even rumors circulating that de Gaulle had fled France.
As the events continued to unfold, de Gaulle finally made a televised speech on 30 May, announcing that he would dissolve the National Assembly and call early elections. His tone was firm, trying to regain control of the situation: "I do not accept chaos, I will take all necessary measures to restore order in the country." ”
De Gaulle's speech had a reassuring effect on a section of the population, and in the subsequent elections, the pro-Gaulle party won a landslide victory, showing that he still had a broad base of support. Although the May Storm failed to overthrow the de Gaulle regime directly, it profoundly shook French society and prompted the French government to carry out major reforms in education, labor law, and social policy.
Although the de Gaulle government reasserted its power through elections, the "May Storm" of 1968 left an impact far beyond the political changes of the time. It marks the awakening of a new social consciousness, especially with far-reaching implications for the younger generation. The shock of the storm was felt at all levels of French society, which gave impetus to the development of inclusive and diversity policies.
The "May Storm" is not only a protest in the streets, but also a cry of the heart, a concrete expression of the desire for freedom, equality and brotherhood. Although the storm was short-lived, it woke up the sleeping land like a spring thunder and made young people in France and around the world re-examine their lives and futures. In the long course of history, every struggle and cry should not be forgotten, they are an indispensable part of our common memory, reminding us that change is possible and justice needs to be fought for. From the streets of Paris in 1968 to the present day, this unfinished revolution continues, the flame of which is never extinguished.