Ateliers Nationaux

Ateliers Nationaux, or NATIONAL WORKSHOPS, was the name given to the works which were organised by the Provisional Government at Paris in the spring of 1848, after the downfall of Louis-Philippe, and which were intended to give occupation to the unemployed at that time of disturbance. A permanent department was established, called The Committee of the Government for the Workmen. This establishment acted on the doctrine that the workmen were entitled to have a living provided for them on a certain uniform scale, which was fixed at two francs per day. It should be said, however, that the works were mostly unproductive, and therefore a mere burden on the national revenue. Of the crowds which flocked for employment, both from Paris and the provinces, many could not be provided with work of any kind, and had a dole of one franc a day given them. By the time a regular government had been established at the beginning of May (1848), the numbers thus engaged had increased to 130,000. As it had become a serious tax on the revenue, the government proceeded to break up the workshops, a measure which kindled into flame the discontent fermenting in the capital. The armed insurrection of the lower classes of Paris which ensued, was put down by the national forces under Cavaignac only after the terrible fighting of the Days of June. The ateliers nationaux are generally, but quite inaccurately, confounded with the ateliers sociaux of Louis Blanc (q.v.).