First cabinet of Albert de Broglie

After the election of Patrice de MacMahon as president to replace Adolphe Thiers, Albert de Broglie was called to form a new conservative^[3] government. It indeed comprised only Legitimists, Orléanists and a small number of Bonapartists, in sharp contrast with the previous Cabinet Dufaure II dominated by republicans.

Initial expectations of the monarchist majority was the continuation of the small steps taken in order to restore once again a King in the country. However, that did not take into consideration the large part of the National Assembly and the population who remained largely republicans.^[4]

One of these actions was one that would last. In November 1873, the Assembly voted a seven-year term for the President. It would be retained by the following Fourth and Fifth Republics until 2000, date to which it was replaced by a shorter five-year term.^[5] The hope was that the position of President of the Republic was only temporary, a sort of place keeper for the return of a monarch.

The core of the government's policy was the Ordre Moral. Under this doctrine, religious education was reinforced with the goal of fighting republican radicalism and what was seen as bad influence of the Lumières. A number of administrations and high level functions were filled with men loyal to the policy, and the press was monitored. Finally, celebrations related to the republic, such as the 14th of July, Bastille Day or the 22nd of September, anniversary of the First Republic, were banned. The government imposed a heavily conservative and catholic grip on the country.^[6]

It is under this cabinet, in July 1873, that was voted the law deciding that the construction of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris would be of public utility. The next day, another law limiting the number of Legion of Honour awarded passed the Assembly.

The cabinet resigned on 26 November 1873, and MacMahon asked de Broglie to form a second cabinet, leading to the Cabinet de Broglie II.^[2]