Rebellious students, struggling only two weeks ago to prepare for the exams that would determine their place in French society, bent their energies to completely paralyzing France's universities. Inspired by the students' example and glad of the chance to vent their own grievances, striking workers seized scores of factories in an epidemic of wildcat work stoppages. Students overturned and burned cars, uprooted paving stones and fiercely battled police for control of the streets.

The government at first used stern measures, sending thousands of police in waves to storm the barricades and beat the students to the ground with rubber truncheons. Then, alarmed by the growing toll of injuries, the government withdrew its police and in effect ceded the field to the students. By that time, much of France had rallied to the students' side-and the spread of revolt began in earnest.