Anarchist bombing campaign of 1888–1889
| Anarchist bombing campaign of 1888-1889 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of propaganda of the deed | |||
7 November 1888 bombings, in Le Monde illustré, here the one on Rue Boucher | |||
| Date | 1888 – 1889 | ||
| Location | France | ||
| Methods | propaganda of the deed, terrorism | ||
| Resulted in | Anarchist victory (recess of employment agencies) | ||
| Parties | |||
| Lead figures | |||
| Casualties and losses | |||
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The anarchist bombing campaign of 1888–1889 refers to a series of propaganda of the deed acts carried out by anarchists in France between August 1888 and June 1889. Roughly a dozen bombings and attempted bombings targeted bureaux de placement (placing offices) and police stations. In France, this campaign predates the more well-known Ère des attentats (1892–1894).
In the late 1880s, the complex social situation in France, coupled with the continued existence of bureaux de placement—employment agencies supposedly designed to help the unemployed find work but in reality closely aligned with employer interests—pushed a number of anarchists to undertake terrorist actions against these agencies. The entire series of attacks resulted in only one injury, as most of them occurred in the middle of the night when the targeted locations were empty.
French authorities suspected a significant number of anarchists, leading to raids and arrests, with suspicions on Placide Schouppe. However, the precise individuals responsible for this campaign remain unknown. The practice of operating those employment agencies gradually disappeared, due to both the increased danger of owning one and the authorities' growing reevaluation of their role after the campaign.