Born in Rennes in 1837, Georges Boulanger joined Saint-Cyr, a school for army officers, at the age of 17. He participated in several military campaigns and became the youngest general of his promotion in 1880.
His entry into the political world began in 1886, when he was appointed Minister of War. He manages to free a French official, imprisoned by Germany and becomes the leader of the French spirit of revenge:the defeat of 1870 deeply marked the country. Boulangism was formed after the dismissal of Boulanger from the Ministry of War in May 1887 following the formation of a new government. This movement brings together very diverse political sensitivities:we find socialists, radicals, and Bonapartists, gathered around the central value of nationalism (a political principle based on the exaltation of belonging to a homeland).
Against a backdrop of political and economic crisis, Boulanger's popularity peaked in January 1889, when he won the legislative election in Paris by 57% of the vote. Pressed by his companions to take the Élysée by a putsch, Boulanger hesitated and fled to Belgium. Sentenced for conspiracy against the state, he committed suicide at the grave of his mistress in September 1891.
1837 - 1891
Status
Military
Politician