How did the French government respond to the grievances revealed by May 1968?

The French government’s response to the grievances of May 1968 was a combination of forceful suppression, strategic negotiation, and political maneuvering designed to restore stability.

Initially, the state utilized the CRS (national riot police) to clear student occupations, employing tear gas, truncheons, and mass arrests, which escalated tensions and led to violent confrontations like the "Night of the Barricades". As the unrest expanded into a massive general strike, the government faced a severe crisis, prompting President Charles de Gaulle to briefly flee to Baden-Baden to secure military support.12

To address labor grievances, the government oversaw the negotiation of the Grenelle Accords, which offered workers significant wage increases and improved conditions. When workers rejected these terms, de Gaulle regained control by:1
* Dissolving the National Assembly and calling for new elections to restore order.1
* Issuing a stern radio address that warned of a communist takeover and threatened the use of the army.1
* Mobilizing public support through large counterdemonstrations, which successfully shifted the political momentum back to his party.1