1-150-623 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'National (Black) Guards', 1871. The figure of Paris cries Murder! Thieves! Help!! Paris is assaulted by armed freedom fighters. The wreck of the city can be seen all around her. After France's defeat at the hands of the Prussian forces, the Republican activists broke into open revolt. With the help of the National Guard, barricades were erected, military leaders executed and the military headquarters taken over. Paris was now held - literally in this cartoon - by the Red Republic. From Punch, or the London Charivari, April 1, 1871.