Charles X from Wikipedia.
In reaction to a parliamentary vote in support of the constitution, Charles X reacted by dissolving Parliament in July 1830. He suspended freedom of press, annulled recent elections, and introduced a property qualification for voting. This lead to a revolt in the streets of Paris, with 2000 dead in the king's army and 1800 dead citizens. As a result, Charles X was replaced by Louis-Phillipe I, "King of the French." Galois, was distraught that he could not join the protests because he was locked in at the Ecole Preparatorie.
Angered by what he perceived as political oppression at the Ecole Preparatorie, Galois wrote a letter to a Paris newspaper insulting one of the officials at the school. This lead to his expulsion in December 1830. This freed time up for Galois to concentrate full-time on politics. He joined the rebellious National Guard and was issued a uniform.
He joined the "Society of Friends of the People" which was recently established as an activist organization for those most interested in the republican ideals. The Society started to arm itself under the cover of the artillery of the National Guard.
In December 1830, Louis-Phillipe dismissed the popular General Lafayette and disbanded the National Guard.
Many of the National Guard refused to hand over their arms, and nineteen of the artilleryman who were seen as leaders, were arrested. They went to trial in April 1831 and were found not guilty.
To celebrate the verdict, the Society organized a banquet for May 9, 1831. It was attended by 200 of those most hostile to the government. At one point, Galois stood to make a toast. He raised a glass of wine in one hand and a jackknife in the other and toasted "To Louis-Phillipe!" Several of the guests raised their glasses and repeated the threatening toast. However, many were concerned with the tone of the gesture and quickly left. The banquet ended shortly afterwards in confusion.
Galois was arrested the next day, charged with incitement to an attempt on the life and person of the King of the French. He was tried on June 15, 1831. His defense was: "This is what happened: I had a knife which I had used to cut meat during the meal. I brandished it saying 'To Louis-Phillipe, if he betrays us!' These words were only heard by the people next to me, considering the whistling that had begun after the beginning of my utterance, because people thought I was proposing a toast to the good health of Louis-Phillipe." He was found not guilty.
Go to the next section: Galois' Demise.
Last revised October 19, 2011.