The May 1968 protest refers to a particular period in French history. It was historically significant for being the first wildcat general strike ever, and for being the largest general strike ever, bringing the economy of an advanced industrial country to a virtual standstill. It commenced with a series of student occupation protests. The strike involved 11,000,000 workers, over 22% of the total population of France at the time, for a continuous two weeks, and its impact was such that it almost caused the collapse of President Charles de Gaulle's government. In staging wildcat strikes, the... movement contrasted with the trade unions and the French Communist Party , which began to side with the de Gaulle government. It began as a long series of student strikes that broke out at a number of universities and lycées in Paris, following confrontations with university administrators and the police.
more
| Occurred: |
May 1968
|
| Location: | France |