Political Journalism in the fall of the Villèle Ministry, 1827–1828: A Preview of Revolution

Abstract

Journalism was an important element in the destruction of the comte de de Villèle’s six-year reign of reaction. Animosity to this regime was not confined to the liberal press alone, but was shared by the Quotidienne and the Journal des Débats. In 1827, Villèle was served by only two major papers, the Gazette de France and the official Moniteur. Although it was the combined attack of liberal and royalist “defection” papers which helped crush the Ministry, the Débats probably exercised a greater influence in the victory than any other paper.