back a little further in french history to the end of the franco-prussian war and the defeat of napoleon iiie nephew of napoleon bonaparte. >> they not only conceited victory to the prussians, but allowed them to march down the shum salazar -- the champs-elysees but pay reparations. they were still reeling from a siege by the prussians that left them angry, tired, and hungry. >> [speaking french] >> ok, so here we are in march 1871. the situation really comes to a fever pitch on march 18 when the government tries to take about 300 cannons. >> the parisians dart -- thought these cannons belong to them because they paid for them through a prescription. a lot of soldiers with the national guard seized control of the city and refused to accept the authority of the national guard which ended up fleeing to their side. elections were held. the commune was declared. they had a red flag. that was their symbol. these elected officials got to work. they were journalists, artisans, workers, lawyers, doctors, artists, a very motley crew getting to work. it did not last very long because at the end of may