Dąbrowski becomes commander of the defence of Paris

Government troops opened a military offensive west of Paris and attacked National Guard positions near Courbevoie. The clash marked the beginning of open warfare between the Commune and Versailles.

The Commune ended state financial support for religious institutions and declared religion a private matter. The policy became an important precedent for later French secularism.

National Guard columns moved toward Versailles through Rueil, Bougival and Châtillon. Poor coordination and government artillery fire broke the offensive, after which prisoners including Émile Duval...

In response to summary executions by government forces, the Commune authorized the detention of people suspected of aiding Versailles and threatened reprisals if captured Communards continued to be...

Patrice de MacMahon was appointed commander of the reorganized government army. Released prisoners of war strengthened the force preparing to retake Paris.

Élisabeth Dmitrieff and Nathalie Lemel helped establish a citywide women’s organization. It mobilized women for nursing, defence, paid work and demands for social and economic equality.

A decree suspended legal action over commercial debts and extended repayment periods. The measure sought to protect small businesses and workers from the economic consequences of the siege.

The Commune authorized artist Gustave Courbet to restore the museums of Paris and reopen their galleries. Artists later organized to administer cultural institutions through an elected federation.

Trade-union and workers’ organizations were asked to identify workshops abandoned by their owners and prepare plans for their operation by cooperative associations. The decree became one of the...

Voters filled seats left vacant by resignations, multiple elections and deaths. Turnout was lower than in March, reflecting warfare, political division and population flight.