11 Facts About Maurice Rouvier

Maurice Rouvier was a French statesman of the "Opportunist" faction, who served as the Prime Minister of France.

Maurice Rouvier is best known for his financial policies and his unpopular policies designed to avoid a rupture with Germany.

Maurice Rouvier was born in Aix-en-Provence, and spent his early career in business at Marseille.

Maurice Rouvier supported Leon Gambetta's candidature there in 1867, and in 1870 he founded an anti-imperial journal, L'Egalite.

Maurice Rouvier belonged to the same masonic lodge as Gambetta, "La Reforme" in Marseille.

Maurice Rouvier became a recognized authority on finance, and repeatedly served on the Budget Commission as reporter or president.

Maurice Rouvier became premier and minister of finance on 31 May 1887, with the support of the moderate republican groups, the Radicals holding aloof in support of General Boulanger, who began a violent agitation against the government.

Maurice Rouvier became a successful banker and was known for his thorough familiarity with financial and budgetary issues.

Maurice Rouvier's policy had aroused German jealousy, which became evident in the asperity with which the question of Morocco was handled in Berlin.

Maurice Rouvier himself took the portfolio of foreign affairs at this crucial point.

Maurice Rouvier's government did not long survive the presidential election of 1906.