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EUROPEAN RETREAT
FROM EMPIRE
AND THE
AFTERMATH
1945 - 1990
Chapter 9
Race Relations in France in
the 1980s
Chapter 9
Why is this chapter important?
 This chapter is a case study and a compulsory topic
for the Leaving Certificate in 2012 and 2013.
Syllabus Elements:
 The Islamic faith in Europe
 Cultural diversity in multi-racial Britain and France
 Immigration patterns and policies in different
European countries: Britain and France.
Key Concepts:
 Assimilation
 Cultural diversity
 Identity
 Racism
 No key personalities associated with this topic.
Key Questions:
 Why did the French attitude to immigrants change in the
1970s?
 How did Giscard d’Estaing tighten immigration controls?
 What were the more liberal policies adopted by
Mitterrand?
 What factors saw the rise of Jean-Marie Le Pen and the
growth of Le Front National?
 What anti-racist movements emerged to counter Le Pen?
 What was the political impact of Le Pen on the Socialists
and Gaullists?
 Could Muslims be fully French? - the debate on identity.
Key Question
Why did the French attitude to immigrants change in
the 1970s?
 30 years after the war period of economic boom – there
was little concern about immigration.
 A blind eye had been turned to illegal immigrants.
 1970s saw an end to the post war economic boom.
 Two oil shocks led to stagflation with unemployment
above 10%.
 Many French people complained that immigrants were
taking their jobs and getting social welfare.
Key Question :
How did Giscard d’Estaing tighten immigration controls?
 Responding to growing disquiet President d’Estaing’s govt.
(1974-1981) passed a number of measures:
– No more immigrants allowed into France – though
immigrants already resident could bring their families.
– Money offered to immigrants to go home – poor uptake.
– Bonnet Law – gave police greater power to search and
deport illegal immigrants.
 Result was to increase police harassment of immigrant
communities and raise tensions.
Key Question:
What were the more liberal policies adopted by
Mitterrand?
 Socialist François Mitterrand was elected president in 1981
– his party opposed d’Estaing’s policies.
 Adopted a multi-racial approach similar to Britain –
recognised immigrants had different cultural and religious
decisions.
 Continued a policy of deporting illegal immigrants but
only after cases were reviewed by courts and the power of
police to stop and search was reduced.
 Illegal immigrants who had jobs were given an
amnesty.
 Greater resources given to schools to help
immigrant children learn French.
 Immigrants given greater freedom to set up cultural,
social or political organisations.
Key Question:
What factors saw the rise of Jean-Marie Le Pen and
the growth of Le Front National?
 Socialist policies divided France.
 Rapid social change had affected many and they
now lived in cities with large immigrant
populations such as Lyon.
 This rapid social change also led to increased
crime and social disorder – many associated this
rise with immigrants.
 Hostility to immigrants was very strong among
the poorer French – many of whom lived in
suburbs with a large percentage of immigrants.
 Matters were made worse by a poorly
performing economy.
 In 1983 the National Front led by Jean-Marie Le Pen
made electoral breakthrough in local elections – 10%
support.
 Party was anti-immigrant – slogan ‘France for the
French’.
 Support was around 10% in further elections –
strongest in big cities such as Paris, Lyon and
Marseilles.
 Presence of large pieds noirs population in Marseilles
increased support for the National Front.
Key Question:
What anti-racist movements emerged to counter
Le Pen?
 Growth of Le Pen’s party saw increase in racist
attacks.
 Led to reaction against Le Pen’s party and racism.
 Leading religious figures condemned racism.
 Children of immigrants in Southern France – Les
Beurs – organised a famous march from Lyon to
Paris in 1983.
 SOS Racisme formed to fight against racism –
organised marches and demonstrations.
 France Plus formed to get people from immigrant
backgrounds elected to local and national
assemblies.
Key Question:
What was the political impact of Le Pen on the Socialists
and Gaullists?
 Key Point: Le Pen put the issue of racism and identity at the centre
of French politics. As a result of Le Pen’s support politicians in
France had to walk a fine line between opposing racism and not been
seen to be soft on immigration.
 Forced Mitterrand to row back from his multicultural policies:
Immigrants were not given the vote in local elections.
 More deportations of illegal immigrants and it was made
more difficult for immigrants to bring their families into
France.
 Gaullists led by Jacques Chirac feared losing support to
the Front National – they now adopted more hard line
policies in response.
 Chirac became Prime Minister in 1986 - assimilation
influencing policies again:
– Non-EEC immigrants forced to get visas.
– Police given greater powers.
– Pasqua Law – power to deport immigrants who were
‘a threat to public order’.
 However, a proposal to change Nationality
Code dropped after opposition.
 Mitterrand won 1988 presidential election but
there was little change in immigration policies.
Key Question:
Could Muslims be fully French? - the debate on identity
 Le Pen and the National Front argued only those of French
blood were truly French – not the children of immigrants.
 A lot of French agreed especially as regards Muslims.
 Issue that saw this question come to the fore was the
headscarf affair:
In 1989, the headmaster of a state school sent home three
Muslim girls for wearing headscarves.
 Decision later overturned after SOS Racisme
protested to the Minister of Education, but the
issue divided France.
 Such an obvious religious symbol was contrary to
France’s secular tradition.
 Many in France saw the headscarf as a symbol of
women’s oppression under Islam.
 Many saw it as part of the wider issue and
feared the growth of fundamentalism among
Muslims.
 Some were afraid that Muslims would soon
outnumber Christians in France – by late 1980s
estimated to be 10% of the population.
 Some even argued that Sharia Law could be
introduced into France and women forced out of
education and jobs.
 However, many of the fears proved groundless and
Muslims seemed to identify themselves as French.
 The girl’s protest drew minority support among
Muslims in France – e.g. few attended march in support.
 Opinion polls showed a majority of Muslims supporting
secularism and were content in French society.
 There was little evidence of support for fundamentalism
among young Muslims.