The Queen really underestimated the national pride of the French. Facing a 'weak' opponent like Prussia, she actually lost two games in a row. Such a result is intolerable to all nationalists.
Although Eugenie agreed to the proposal to expand the army by 500,000, she did not immediately sign the executive order, but let the Grand Council discuss it. Although this result was acceptable, it was not entirely satisfactory.
Although most citizens chose to go home and continue working to earn bread and milk, small-scale protests and demonstrations continued on the streets of Paris.
Said to be a small scale, the number of people was up to four to five thousand. Their purpose was very clear to force the queen to immediately expand the army and force the empire's army to quickly launch a counterattack.
"Counterattack! Fight to Berlin!"
"Build an army! Prepare the National Guard immediately!"
Everyone has only these two demands, one is to counterattack and fight to the enemy's capital, and the other is to build an army and immediately prepare to establish the National Guard.
In the chaos that filled the city, the Tuileries Gardens were undoubtedly the core of the movement. A protest team of 10,000 people had been retained here for a long time, continuously exerting pressure on the imperial government.
Queen Eugenie couldn't stand it anymore. The long-term mental torture left her unable to eat or sleep. She could only rely on alcohol anesthesia to rest for a while.
What's even more terrible is that during this period, he also has to meet with envoys from various countries. Almost every one of these diplomatic veterans with ulterior motives will use these protests to put pressure on the queen, openly or covertly.
The dignity of the empire has been completely trampled underfoot!
All the newspapers in France went crazy. These reporters and editors without kings and fathers completely ignored the imperial prohibition and described the details of the war on the front line in newspapers.
A lot of 'inside information' that even the queen didn't know was found out by these people.
The newspapers described the course of the war in lengthy detail, in which the incompetence of the French army and the brutality of the Prussian army were vividly demonstrated.
The exaggerated data shocked people's hearts, and the enemy's rape and plunder made all the people filled with indignation!
According to reports in these newspapers, Alsace and Lorraine have become a hell on earth. Countless people have been massacred, people's property has been plundered, and almost all French girls have been raped!
Adding fuel to the fire! This fire could not withstand the media's efforts to pour oil on it, and soon the demonstrations began to spread from Paris.
Rouen, Caen, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille, Lyon, Orleans... these important French cities were all in turmoil.
People took to the streets to demonstrate in support of the Paris citizens' protests. Local governments across the country were completely out of control. They were already extremely busy with providing logistics for the army, but with the protests, they also devoted most of their energy to maintaining order.
This is really a vicious cycle that makes things worse. France's administrative efficiency is already very low. These officials are already very strenuous in solving war logistics supplies. No matter where they can stand it, the people come to make trouble again.
All of a sudden, the logistics work was disrupted. Supplies from countless places were ready to go north by train and carriage to support the frontline fighting, but all were delayed because of this vigorous nationwide protest march.
Many years after the war, some scholars searched for historical information. They once restored the chaos at that time in the private diary of a dispatcher at the Marseille train station.
"The demonstration broke out suddenly without any warning. It is said that 200,000 people participated in the demonstration on the streets of Marseille... I did not participate in this demonstration, not because I had nothing to say, but because my work is too important!"
"There are one million rounds of bullets in the warehouse ready to be loaded onto the train heading north this afternoon. There are also ten tons of butter, five tons of cheese and 30,000 first aid kits that will be shipped north within three days!"
"God bless you! Today's work is a complete nightmare. 70% of the loaders and unloaders at the entire station stopped working. They all went to the city to protest and demonstrate!"
"Bullets, butter, cheese, and first-aid kits are all piled up in the warehouse. My colleagues are almost crying with the dispatch orders. They can't find the loaders..."
"What's even more unexpected is that yesterday, a train carrying 120 tons of flour and two regiments of new recruits was actually stopped in Provence..."
"It turned out that the workers at the front went on strike in response to the Paris demonstrations, causing all the railway tracks at the small station to be blocked by trains. Even the railway workers who were switching the switches could not be found..."
"In desperation, the station master tried to ask the mayor of Marseille for help, but for three days the mayor was negotiating with the protesting citizens on the streets..."
"What happened to the Empire? Those compatriots who took to the streets shouting slogans and demanding a counterattack on Berlin, you lost all your work. Is this how you support the war?"
"No one can explain to me, and I don't understand what happened... I can only humbly kneel before God and pray that this chaos will end soon!"
The yellowed diary made French historians in the 21st century sigh. When the true appearance of history was presented before people's eyes, the helplessness contained therein made everyone sigh.
The nationwide parade did not have any positive significance for the war. Instead, it caused various malfunctions in the French tanks.
In the precarious situation, it was no longer difficult for the Queen to fight against such strong public opinion. 24 hours after the national parade broke out, Queen Eugenie summoned reporters from many newspapers.
"The current chaos in the empire has proven the incompetence of this government! With the right given to me by God, I announce to the country that the Olivier cabinet is officially dissolved!"
"From today on, Olivier is no longer the Prime Minister of the Empire, and his position has been cancelled!"
Olivier became the first scapegoat at the beginning of the war. The cabinet he led completely collapsed, but he had no power to resist.
Facing the media cameras, Olivier took off his hat and said sadly, "For...for the current chaos in the empire's administrative system...I...I bear an unshirkable responsibility!"
"I am ashamed of the empire's trust in me, and I am ashamed of the people's support for me! I apologize to the people of the whole country!"
"At this time of national crisis, I can only pray to God... to protect our France!"
Olivier turned his head and looked at the Queen deeply, sighed and left the Tuileries Palace!
As soon as the poor Prime Minister's carriage left the palace, it was attacked by angry people. These irrational citizens smashed rotten eggs as hard as they could, making the whole carriage stink.
"Corrupt bastard! Incompetent idiot! Get out of France!"
"The empire is suffering due to corrupt officials like you! Go to hell!"
Olivier in the carriage looked at the angry crowd outside the window. He could no longer hold back his emotions and tears burst out of his eyes!
"I don't hate you, I really don't hate you! I understand the pain in your hearts, I know how uncomfortable you are..."
"You really can't stand it anymore, so you have to vent! If pouring dirty water on me can make you feel better, then I am willing to bear all this!"
Olivier left Paris in despair amid the scolding!
