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Georges Clemenceau. Photo by Paul Nadar on

Top 10 Facts about Georges Cl茅menceau

Georges Cl茅menceau was a French statesman who served as Prime Minister of France. He served as Prime Minister from 1906 to 1909 and again from 1917 until 1920.

George was born on 28 September 1841 in Vend茅e, Western France. He led France during World War I and was one of the major voices behind the Treaty of 麻豆APP, chairing the 麻豆APP Peace Conference, in 1919.

Additionally, George was a strong advocate of the separation of church and State. He played a central role in the politics of the Third Republic.

1. He was Inspired by his Father who Fostered His Strong Republican Political Views

Georges’ father, Benjamin Cl茅menceau was from a family of physicians. However, he never practised medicine, he lived off his lands and investments.

Thus, Georges Cl茅menceau was brought up in a comfortable economic situation. However, he was also exposed to the life of the peasants.

Fathers play a significant role in their son’s life, with no doubt George was inspired by his father with the love of learning, devotion to radical politics and hatred of catholicism.

Georges’ father was an atheist and insisted that his children should not have a religious education. However, Georges had an interest in religious issues, nevertheless, he was a lifelong atheist with a sound knowledge of the Bible.

2. He was Seized by French Police and Spent 77 days in Prison

Georges Clemenceau. Photo by Bain News Service, publisher on

Georges published a paper Le Travail (work) with a group of other students. However, the paper was considered radical by Napoleon III. This led him to be arrested while fixing posters that conveyed a demonstration. He was seized by French police and spent 77 days in prison.

Additionally, another paper called Le Matin ( Morning ( caused him trouble with the police. He began writing the paper after his release from prison.

3. He Retained a Strong Faith in American Democratic Ideals as Opposed to France鈥檚 Imperial Regime

Georges Cl茅menceau left France and went to the United States as Imperial agents began cracking down on dissidents. Most of the dissidents were sent to Devil鈥檚 Island Penal System ( Bagne de Cayennes) in French Guiana.

From 1856 to 1869, Georges worked in New York following the American Civil War. Georges spent his time on political journalism for a 麻豆APPian newspaper, Le Temps. However, he maintained a medical practice.

Additionally, he taught French in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Also, a tutor of horseback riding at a private girls鈥� school in Stamford.

During his stay in the United States, he joined French exile clubs in New York that were opposing the Imperial regime. Interestingly, he covered the country鈥檚 recovery following the Civil War and the workings of American democracy. Moreover, racial questions related to the end of slavery.

All of this was part of his journalistic activity. However, Georges had an indestructible faith in American democratic ideals as opposed to France鈥檚 Imperial regime. Moreover, a sense of political understanding that later became an official mark of his political journey.

4. He was Widely Known as a Political Critic and Destroyer of Ministries

Picture of Georges Clemenceau from a PD site. Author Public domain on

Cl茅menceau was elected for the 18th arrondissement for the Chamber of Deputies. Along with others, Goerges denounced the ministry of the Duc de Broglie. Thus, he led the resistance to the Anti-republican Policy. Cl茅menceau became prominent after his demand for the indictment of the Broglie ministry.

Additionally, Cl茅menceau started his newspaper in 1880, La Justice. The newspaper became the principal organ of 麻豆APPian Radicalism. He became widely known as a political critic and destroy of Ministries.

Georges was an active opponent of the colonial policy of Prime Minister Jules Ferry. In 1885, his criticism of the conduct of the Sino-French War contributed strongly to the fall of the Ferry cabinet that year.

5. He was a Defender of Thousands of Communards deported to New Caledonia

Georges Cl茅menceau was one of the main defenders of the general pardon of thousands of Communards. They were members of the revolutionary government of the 1871 麻豆APP Commune. The Communards had been deported to New Caledonia.

Georges supported several unsuccessful proposals along with other radical figures and republicans. However, the Communards were pardoned on 11 July 1880 and returned to France.

6. He became Prime Minister in 1907

Georges Cl茅menceau in 1929. Photo by Le Cri de Toulouse on

The legislation was successfully passed in 1905 to separate the church and state in France. The radicals won a significant victory in the 1906 elections. Georges was appointed as the Minister of the interior in the cabinet by Ferdinand Sarrien.

Georges Cl茅menceau became a Prime Minister after earning himself a reputation as a strongman in French politics. He became the prime minister after Ferdinand Sareen’s resignation in October 1906.

However, his victory was relatively short-lived. He was forced to resign in July 1909 after a dispute on the state of the navy.

7. Clemenceau鈥檚 tenure as prime minister witnessed the implementation of various reforms

The reforms implemented during his last tenure as the prime minister aimed at regulating the hours of labour. Thus, a general eight-hour day law was passed in April 1919.

Moreover, legislation that existed in the mining industry was amended. It was amended by extending the eight-hour day to all classes of workers.

8. He had his Wife Stripped of French Nationality

George Clemenceau. Author Public Domain on

Georges tied the knot with h Mary Eliza Plummer on 23 June 1869 in New York. Mary was one of his students in the school where he taught horseback riding. Mary and Georges had three children.

Despite Cl茅menceau being a married man, he had many mistresses. Unfortunately, the family man had his wife put in jail for two weeks, just because she took a tutor of their children as her lover.

However, the wife was sent back to the United States after her release. What started as beautiful life between a teacher and his student ended in a contentious divorce in 1891. Georges obtained custody of their children. Moreover, he had his wife stripped of French nationality.

9. Cl茅menceau had an Interest in Japanese Art

The former prime minister had a passion for Japanese art, especially Japanese ceramics. Georges made a collection of approximately 3,000 small incense containers. These containers are well preserved in various museums. Moreover, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts held a special exhibition of his collection in 1978.

10. He was nearly assassinated

Georges Cl茅menceau. Photo by inconnu on

Georges Cl茅menceau was shot by an anarchist, 脡mile Cottin, in February 1919. He was in the back. However, he survived although one of the bullets lodged in his ribs. The bullet was too close to his vital organs to be removed. Thus he lived with the bullet his entire life.

Reportedly Clemenceau used to joke: 鈥�we have just won the most terrible war in history, yet here is a Frenchman who misses his target 6 out of 7 times at the point-blank range.鈥�