What caused the student and worker protests in France in May 1968?

The student and worker protests in France in May 1968 were sparked by a combination of localized grievances and broader desires for systemic change.

Student Origins

The movement began with student protests at the Nanterre campus of the University of Paris regarding restrictions on dormitory visits. Tensions escalated following the arrest of student activists, leading to the formation of the March 22 Movement. When the university was closed, students moved their protests to the Sorbonne in Paris. The subsequent police intervention—involving mass arrests, tear gas, and clubbings—incited further violent resistance, including the construction of barricades in the Latin Quarter.12

Escalation and Worker Involvement

What began as a demand for educational reform and the release of arrested students quickly expanded into a national crisis. The movement grew to encompass aspirations for radical social and political change, including the democratization of institutions and the dismantling of authoritarian structures. This led to the largest wildcat general strike in French history, as millions of workers joined the protests to demand better wages and working conditions, seizing numerous factories in the process.12