Understanding 1968 – The Case of Brest

Abstract

This article examines the dominance of Paris in how May ’68 has been portrayed over the years. It will be argued, through a case-study of the revolt in the Breton city of Brest, that the Paris-centred approach is one that belies the true nationwide aspect of May/June 1968. As one of a range of characteristics, the concentration on the Latin Quarter has helped mould what Kristin Ross has described as the ‘official history’ of 1968. An examination of how the events were played out within different regional contexts would go a long way towards helping overcome the shortcomings of the increasingly narrow portrayal that has come to dominate the stereotypical image of 1968.

Notes

 [1] Cf., for example, Roux 2000; Combaz 2002; Joffrin 2002, pp. 12–36; Lindenberg 2002; Gordon 2005, pp. 229–233; Guimier & Charbonneau 2005.

 [2] See, for example, Singer 1970; Brown 1974; Martelli 1988; Weber 1988; Tarnero 1998.

 [3] For example, the famous occupation of the Sous-préfecture in Morlaix in 1961, cf., Poisson & le Matt 2000, pp. 478–479.

 [4] For an analysis of the escalating violence in Brittany at this time see Brunel 1968, pp. 84-89.

 [5] Taken from a CGT-CFDT tract calling on support for the 8 May Ouest Veut Vivre day of action.

 [6] For a more in-depth analysis of the demographic situation of the region see Quintin 1998.

 [7] For a detailed analysis of the 68 events in the CLU de Brest see Porhel 1988.

 [8] For example, see Hamon & Rotman 1987, pp. 514–515 or Singer 1970, pp. 152–155.

 [9] For more details see Porhel 1988, pp. 63–85.

[10] Taken from a tract produced by the CGT, the CFDT, the FEN (Fédération de l'Education Nationale) and the AGEB and distributed prior to 13 May demonstration.

[11] M. Ilari – a student in 1968 at the University of Dijon where he participated in the events – described to me how, as a student, he was contacted by Edgar Faure enquiring about how he felt the university system should be reformed in the aftermath of the events: ‘Il m'a posé des questions pendant une demi-heure par rapport à ce que je pensais de tout ça. C'est la preuve qu'il a cherché des contacts directs’ (Ilari 2004).

[12] C.f., Joffrin 1988; Martelli 1988; Tartakowsky 1998.

[13] The call for papers for the May 68: Forty Years On conference to be held at the University of London in Paris features requests for studies of May ’68 outside the capital. Also, the research group GERME (Groupe d'études et de recherches des mouvements étudiants) is participating in a study programme featuring analyses of 1968 in Dijon, Lyon and Amiens.