Alexandre Ribot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexandre Ribot
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| Prime Minister of France | |
| In office 20 March 1917 – 12 September 1917 |
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| President | Raymond Poincaré |
| Preceded by | Aristide Briand |
| Succeeded by | Paul Painlevé |
| In office 9 June 1914 – 13 June 1914 |
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| President | Raymond Poincaré |
| Preceded by | Gaston Doumergue |
| Succeeded by | René Viviani |
| In office 26 January 1895 – 1 November 1895 |
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| President | Félix Faure |
| Preceded by | Charles Dupuy |
| Succeeded by | Léon Bourgeois |
| In office 6 December 1892 – 4 April 1893 |
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| President | Sadi Carnot |
| Preceded by | Émile Loubet |
| Succeeded by | Charles Dupuy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 February 1842 Saint-Omer |
| Died | 13 January 1923 (aged 80) Paris |
| Political party | none |
Alexandre-Félix-Joseph Ribot (7 February 1842 – 13 January 1923) was an important French politician. He served as Prime Minister four different times.
Contents
Alexandre Ribot's Early Life and Career
Alexandre Ribot was born in Saint-Omer, a town in France. He was a very bright student at the University of Paris. He studied law and quickly became a successful lawyer. He helped start a group called the Sociéte de legislation comparée, which focused on comparing different laws. Before entering politics, he worked in the Ministry of Justice, dealing with legal matters.
Becoming a Representative in France
In 1877, Ribot decided to enter politics. He became a member of the French Parliament, representing his home area of Boulogne. He was known for his strong and thoughtful speeches.
He often spoke about money matters for the country. He was a moderate republican, meaning he supported the republic but was not as extreme as some other politicians. He sometimes disagreed with other leaders, like Léon Gambetta and Jules Ferry, especially about military spending. He even helped Georges Clemenceau remove a government from power in 1885.
Serving in the Government Cabinet
After 1889, Ribot continued to serve in Parliament. He became worried about a political movement called the Boulangist movement. This led him to support a policy of "Republican Concentration," which meant different republican groups working together.
Foreign Minister and Russian Alliance
In 1890, he became the Foreign Minister in the government. He knew a lot about English laws and systems. He also played a key role in creating a strong friendship between France and Russia. This friendship later became a formal alliance, which was a very important step for France's international relations.
First Time as Prime Minister
Ribot kept his job as Foreign Minister in the next government. When that government ended in 1892, he became the Prime Minister (also called President of the Council) for the first time. He also continued to manage foreign affairs. His government resigned in 1893 because Parliament did not agree with some changes to the budget.
Second Time as Prime Minister
In 1895, when Félix Faure became president, Ribot was asked to be Prime Minister again. He also served as Minister of Finance. During this time, he officially announced the alliance with Russia to the world. His government resigned later that year due to problems with a military expedition and social issues in France.
Later Political Roles
After 1898, Ribot tried to form another government but was not successful. He became the head of an important group focused on education. He believed in modernizing the education system. He was re-elected to Parliament in 1902 and continued to be an important voice in French politics.
In 1906, he became a member of the Académie Française, a very respected group of French scholars and writers. He also joined the Academy of Moral and Political Science.
In 1909, Ribot was elected to the French Senate. He was offered the role of Foreign Minister again in 1910 but turned it down. He continued to be influential, especially in discussions about international treaties. In 1913, he tried to become president of France but was not chosen.
Alexandre Ribot's Shortest Premiership
On 9 June 1914, Ribot became Prime Minister and Minister of Justice for the fourth time. However, his government faced strong opposition from other political groups. It lasted only one day, making it one of the shortest governments in French history.
Leadership During World War I
When World War I began in August 1914, Ribot's experience in finance and foreign affairs became very valuable. He became the Minister of Finance in the government of national defense. He kept this role when Aristide Briand became Prime Minister in 1915.
Final Time as Prime Minister
In March 1917, President Raymond Poincaré asked Ribot to form a government again. This was his fifth and final time as Prime Minister. He also took on the role of Foreign Minister. He announced that his government's goal was to regain French territories lost in the past, get payments for damages, and work towards a lasting peace based on fairness for all nations.
He also had to address a claim that France had agreed with Tsar Nicholas to create an independent state on the German side of the Rhine river. Ribot confirmed an agreement had been made but denied any plan to take over those lands for France.
End of Political Career and Legacy
Ribot's last time as Prime Minister was during a very difficult period of World War I. There were military setbacks and unrest among French soldiers. His government resigned in September 1917. He briefly served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the next government but resigned completely in October due to disagreements over German peace offers.
Alexandre Ribot then left politics. He passed away in Paris on 13 January 1923, at the age of 80.
Today, the main high school in his hometown of Saint-Omer, the Lycée Alexandre Ribot, is named after him.
Images for kids
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Alexandre Ribot in 1913
See also
In Spanish: Alexandre Ribot para niños
