1. Second Empire of France
Napoleon III
Second Empire of France

2. Quick Biography Born Paris- 1808 Nephew to Napoleon I
Exiled to Switzerland & Italy after Waterloo (involved in Carbonari – Revolutionaries/Nationalist in Italy)
After death of Napoleon’s son in became claimant to French throne
Attempted coup arrested; exiled to England
Returned to Paris in elected to National Assembly

3. Path to becoming the new French President
Great Name – Romantics had transformed the former dictator to a demigod
Middle Class & Peasant Property Owners wanted a tough leader to protect their property from Socialist Urban workers + Stability
Pamphlets distributed prior to the election showed his positive program for France
He believed govt. should represent the people and help them economically. ( Direct Link)
Appeared to be a strong leader
Elected as Pres to Second Republic 1850
Louis triumphs the system; appeals to the people-- elected Pres. through coalition of conservatives and Bonapartists.

4. President of the 2nd French Republic to …Emperor
Required by the Constitution to share power with a Conservative National Assembly
13th Law- Second Republic limits suffrage-- Unpopular
* signed bills that increased the Catholic Church in Education
After the Assembly failed to allocate funds to pay his debts and no second term….
Coup d'état and plebiscite to make him Emperor

5. Economics- GOOD Gradual expansion of economy, wages over inflation
Improved public works-builds railroads (1700km to 1800km), bridges, education under RCC, built Suez Canal
Investments- Credit Foncier (France) fostered middle class investment, Credit Mobilier (US)- loans to farmers, scandal-Banks still in existence today
Free trade advocate
Rebuilding of Paris- Baron Haussmann large vistas discourage Paris uprisings and blockades

6. Economics- BAD 40 Million- population stagnation
Slow pace of industrialization- France % agriculture, England % agriculture
This will hinder France later
Second Empire is considered time of prosperity so not much here

7. Politics Authoritarian Rule –early Restriction of press
Strong bureaucracy relies on loyal prefects- all power to Napoleon
“Boiling Pot”- Napoleon III kept lid on currents seething underneath-
Example problems=Catholics, socialists, labor, liberals
In the 1860’s he allowed workers to form union and strike.
He chose his own ministers, and allowed them freedom of action yet…
Restricted but not abolish the National Assembly

8. Political Success/Challenges to Napoleon III
Gov. sponsored candidates were the key to roads, tax rebates, and local benefits.
1857, 1863 he worked the electoral system , but middle class liberals challenged him so…
Promoted Liberalism during later reign
Gave the assembly opposition greater powers & freedoms
By 1869 the opposition consisting of Republicans, monarchists, liberals, polled 45% of the vote.
1870 New French Constitution
Parliamentary regime
Hereditary Emperor as chief of state
Political Success/Challenges to Napoleon III

9. The Ballet of Europe

10. Foreign Policy
Led France in Crimean War and negotiated Treaty of Paris- 1856
Sided with Sardinia against Austria and victorious at Battle of Solferino- 1859
Aided Italy against Austria –got Nice and Savoy in return
Created Latin empire- installed Maximilian in Mexico
( )
Kept France neutral in Austro-Prussian War
1870- Franco-Prussian War against Bismarck- lost Battle of Sedan, surrendered, deposed; exiled to England; dies in 1873

11. The Crimean War 1853-1854 Russian expansion into Ottoman Empire
Dispute between France & Russia over holy sites
France, Britain, and Ottomans are victories
Russian loses 450,000, Russian Naval Defeat
Alexander II realized the need to industrialize
Florence Nightingale- Allied Nurse

12. Maximillian in Mexico 1862-67
Mexican Civil War Liberals vs Conservatives
Vera Cruz vs Mexico City
European nation attempt to collect debt
Napoleon has territorial ambitions
In 1862, French Emperor Napoleon III maneuvered to establish a French client state in Mexico, and eventually installed Maximilian of Habsburg, Archduke of Austria, as Emperor of Mexico.

13. Franco – PrussianWar Set up by Bismarck, Napoleon III took the bait
Wanted to teach Prussia a lesson
Paris surrendered in Jan. 1871, betrayed by the rest of the country
Paris Surrounded, fighting, yet starving
Harsh peace for France , 5 billion francs
Cede Alsace & part of Lorraine to Germany

14. Social Immigration increase
Strongly Catholic- Napoleon becomes embroiled in Italian unification issues- angers the Catholics- Napoleon sends French troops to protect Pope Pius IX- troops stay and complicate unification
Low birth rate- what is wrong with these Catholics????

15. Cultural Boom and Bloom
Painting- Manet, Degas ( Impressionism)
Literature- Victor Hugo, etc.
Music
Science

16. Édouard Manet
Music in the Tuileries, 1862
He was one of the first 19th-century artists to paint modern life, and a pivotal figure in the transition from Realism to Impress ionism
"Olympia" was championed by the French avant-garde community, and the painting's significance was appreciated by artists such as Gustave Courbet, Paul Cézanne, Claude Monet, and later Paul Gauguin.
The Luncheon on the Grass (Le déjeuner sur l'herbe), 1863

17. Olympia, 1863

18. Edgar Degas
He is especially identified with the subject of dance; more than half of his works depict dancers. He is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism
The Dance Class (La Classe de Danse), 1873–1876
Musicians in the Orchestra, 1872
L'Absinthe, 1876

19. Military Crimean War- alliance with GB
Italy & Piedmont- gain Nice and Savoy
Franco Prussian War-lost Alsace and Lorraine
Protects Pope
Maximilian- Mexico
(stupid move)

20. Decline
French Nationalism- promoted France as major European power- second largest economy in Europe after GB
(but not for long)
authoritarian –prefects central power
liberal empire- Emile Olivier –republican prime minister- endorsed reforms
1870- Franco-Prussian War against Bismarck- lost Battle of Sedan, surrendered, deposed; exiled to England; dies in 1873.
Government passes legislative Assembly to Third Republic/Paris Commune-March 1871