The Age of Nationalism From Napoleon III to Republican France Unification of Italy Unification of Germany and the German Empire Modernization of Russia Great Britain and Ireland Decline of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

The Age of Nationalism Background The later 1800s were a time of urban industrialization and general prosperity in Europe. The growth of the industrial middle class and that class’s drive for representative government (dual revolution) found an effective organizing principle in the later 1800s in nationalism.

Napoleon III in France The Second Empire New republic called the Second Republic presidential elections: Louis Napoleon, an overwhelming victor. –Name recognition. –Anti-socialist. –Authoritarian nationalism.

Napoleon III in France The Second Empire When elected, had to share power with National Assembly. –They refused to pay his debts and refused to allow him a 2nd term. 12/2/1851: coup d’ etat; president for 10 years. 12/2/1852: Napoleon III, Emperor of France.

Napoleon III in France The Authoritarian Empire 1850s Economic Success: –Railroad expansion, public utilities. –Aid to workers and peasants including right to unionize and strike. –Prosperity helped keep popular discontent at a minimum. Public works projects: –Rebuilt Paris. Strict censorship of the press. Prohibited establishment of political associations.

Napoleon III in France The Liberal Empire After 1860, several factors combined to lessen both Napoleon’s popularity and ability to control the government. –Domestic and foreign problems Cobden Treaty of 1860 with GB lowered French tariffs on imports of British manufactured goods, which flooded France. Inept intervention in Italy (covered under Italian unification). Attempted to create a French domain in Mexico under Austrian Archduke Maximilian.

Napoleon III in France The Liberal Empire –As a result of his fooling around in Italy and the rising power of Prussia, criticism of his regime became more open. –Sensitive to public opinion, Napoleon , ended press censorship and permitted political meetings held under government supervision. Under pressure, gradually increased the power of the legislature.

Political Struggles in France The End of the 2nd Empire –Franco-Prussian War of 1870 Napoleon III, alarmed over the growing power of Prussia and goaded by Bismarck, declared war. French troops ill-prepared and were easily defeated by Prussians. Napoleon III captured at Sedan on 9/2/70 Parisians rioted forcing the downfall of the empire and establishing another republic.

Political Struggles in France Peace with Prussia –French lost the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine (bitterly resented). –French forced to pay 5 billion francs (huge!) reparations to Prussia. –French citizens were outraged.

Political Struggles in France Socialist Commune of Paris –Radicals took over the city of Paris. May, 1871, “Bloody Week” –Assembly ordered the French army into Paris and crushed the rebellion. –20k Parisians killed.

Republican France Third Republic of 1875 –National Assembly reluctantly agreed to establish a republic. 2 house legislature –Chamber of Deputies elected by universal manhood suffrage –Senate indirectly elected –elected a president, 7 yr term, with relatively little power A cabinet responsible for government policy and executive business, headed by a premier and responsible to the parliament

Problems Facing the 3rd Republic Anticlericalism Boulanger Revolt Panama Canal Dreyfus Affair

Anticlericalism Roman Catholic Church generally supported the monarchist cause. –Republican leaders promoted an anticlerical campaign designed to reduce the church’s influence in national life. The government established a system of free secular elementary schools to compete with church-run schools. Jesuits were expelled from France “God” removed from oaths

Boulanger Revolt General Georges Boulanger, minister of war, benefited from a government financial scandal. –Threat of a coup with monarchist and clerical support. –Fled the country instead of revolting. –Discredited the monarchists and thus served to strengthen the republic.

Panama Canal Crisis Panama Company collapsed and the project failed. –Bankrupted thousands of French investors. –Bribery scandal. –Government survival further strengthened the republic.

Dreyfus Affair Dec. 1894, an army court-martial convicted Cpt. Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer, of conveying secret information to the Germans. –Sentenced to the penal colony of Devil’s Island, French Guiana. –Doubt remained about his guilt. Forged documents. Implication of another soldier. –Confrontation between Dreyfusards and anti-Dreyfusards.

Dreyfus Affair Zola’s “J’Accuse” –1898, the novelist Emile Zola, a Dreyfusard, published a newspaper article, “J’Accuse.” Charged the army with forging evidence against Dreyfus and suppressing evidence that would vindicate him. –Dreyfus was pardoned by the French president. –1906, French supreme court invalidated his convictions.

Dreyfus Affair Victory of the Dreyfusards –Decisive defeat for: the ultraconservative officers who dominated the army the monarchists and the church who opposed the republic. –1905, the government abrogated the Concordat of 1801 Church and state were now separated.