This thesis examines an especially significant period in French political history. The years 1981 to 1986 were particularly important because, for the first time, the French Socialists controlled the government for more than just a year. The idea of a Socialist, not a Social Democratic, party guided by the same ideology formulated in 1905 captivated the public. The French people, and to some extent the rest of the world, either nervously or eagerly anticipated the outcome of a Socialist party's term in a modem nation. The first years of the Parti Socialiste government are often referred to as an 'experiment,' and they marked the last time a leader of a developed country tried to create a truly socialist economy. The government also tried to apply other ideas that had been perceived as "outdated" to their official policies. This thesis examines why parts of the program developed by the PS fell by the wayside as a result of the Socialists' time in office.This thesis also examines how the Socialist government achieved despite the setbacks. Some observers emphasize the "failure" of the PS to transform France into a Socialist society. However, as the events discussed in this paper will show, this government was not an abject failure. Failure would have happened if the government had pursued "socialism" for the sake fulfilling Leftist ambitions or clung desperately to initiatives that were no longer suited for country's political climate. The government was actually very successful at evaluating how sensible Socialist ideas were and then adjusting them to respond to the needs of the French people. This thesis also explains how the success of the government led to the success of the entire party, which was considered a more respectable political body by 1986 after its leaders had proven themselves capable of running a country. The PS failed to hold on to all the tenets of the Left, but the alternative was to attain the image of a party that was politically insensible and out of touch with the modem world.Developing this thesis has required the application of the knowledge I have acquired in all the areas I have focused my studies on during my undergraduate career. Obviously I have used my knowledge of history, my major area of study. I have also used the knowledge I gained in the areas of my two minors. To translate some of my sources, I applied the skills I have acquired studying. the French language; to understand the political aspects, I used the knowledge I have gained in European studies. This piece is an accurate representation of my cumulated undergrad work.