Napoleon III and the Quest for Glory

During the Revolution of 1848, Louis-Philippe was deposed. A republic was established, and

there would now be an election for president.

When the revolutions of 1848 died down in France, there were four candidates for president. The

Constituent Assembly wanted a strong executive—and they wanted the

president to be elected by universal male suffrage—all men eligible to

vote.

Among the four candidates was a Napoleon—a second Napoleon,

Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte.

Who was he? He was the son of Napoleon’s brother, Louis, who

had married Hortense, Josephine’s daughter. So, in fact Louis-

Napoleon was a descendant of both Napoleon and Josephine.

That’s just a little historical detail, so in a way Napoleon and

Josephine had children—but only through her daughter and his

brother.

Napoleon’s son died at 19 in 1832, so his nephew, Louis assumed the

position as head of the family.

He was filled with thoughts of glory, and hey—why not—wanted

to capitalize on his famous connection.

He was helped by what historians call the “Napoleonic legend.” It is a fact that Napoleon’s reputation grew after his death---and after the memories of the millions who died as a result of his policy faded

away…

Louis Napoleon wrote books that glorified his uncle and “burnished”

or polished his legend.

Twice this young Napoleon tried to seize power, in a way that would be similar to Hitler’s Putsches in

the 1920’s—•In Strasbourg in 1836•In Boulogne in 1840

He was not successful and had to flee to England. But he waiting in the wings for his time…and that

time came with the collapse of the government in 1848.

And in 1848…after the first upheaval, the French were asked to vote for a new President…and

whose name was the most recognized on the Ballot?

Yes, Louis Napoleon, nephew of the glorious Napoleon.

The votes were counted:

•5,400,000 for Louis Napoleon•1,500,000 for Cavaignac•370,000 for Ledru-Rollin•18,000 for Lamartine

So, Louis Napoleon became President of France.

Immediately he took steps to fortify his power.

•He brought in a new constitution in May 1849.

•He divided and conquered by allowing the various factions to fight amongst themselves.

•He ousted violatile socialist factions in 1849

Then, in a more aggressive move, he rescinded universal male

suffrage—making sure that the poorest, or most republican voters,

were disenfranchised (could not vote).

He also allowed the Catholic Church to control the education system, provided it suppressed

any socialist elements that would threaten peace.

When Republicans

threatened to overthrow the

Italian government, France sent

troops into Italy to protect the pope—they

remained there for 20 years.

But Bonaparte still did not have absolute power. He gave back

universal male suffrage—put his “people” in charge of the military

and police, and declared the Assembly dissolved.

A year later, Napoleon declared himself Napoleon III, and France an empire—the second empire—his uncle, Napoleon had

ruled the “first empire.”

Napoleon III would rule France as a

complex dictator.

Part II

Napoleon III and the Second Empire.

Elected in 1848—but emperor by 1852, Napoleon III came to power

under popular acclaim and nostalgia for the return to the

glory days of the first Napoleon.

A short man, like his uncle, he was not a great organizer, leader, or soldier like the first Napoleon--

But this new Napoleon had more sympathy for the poor and

respected public opinion than his famous uncle.

Napoleon III wanted modern progress for France—he embraced the Industrial Revolution with all

its improvements.

He diminished the power of the legislature, the elected body of France—this was a natural step

toward consolidating power.

He married a young beautiful Spanish noblewoman, Eugenie, who became a

tragic queen.

They held a sumptuous court.

Napoleon III ordered that

Paris be modernized. Old medieval

buildings were blown up.

The great Opera house was built—complete with Phantom!

Streets were widened to prevent barricades being built.

The army could now gain easier access to the city.

Sewers and water supplies improved…subways began to be

built.

The French built the Suez Canal…

Railroads were built…

Easy Avenues of Credit developed..

The Stock Exchange boomed—and people became

fantastically wealthy.

Hospitals and asylums were established and free medicine

distributed.

And in 1864, it became legal for workers to strike. Labor unions

were gaining strength.

Yet, Napoleon believed in Free

Trade—and signed a free

trade agreement with Great Britain. This angered Prussia and

other European countries.

But by 1860, the French “Empire” was running into

trouble…

Opposition from many sides meant that Napoleon III allowed for more

Legislative influence…

Despite Napoleon’s promise that there would be peace…foreign entanglements

loomed for France—they spelled doom for the Second Empire.

Napoleon supported a disastrous intervention in Mexico (1862-1867),

where the brother of the King of Austria was killed…

And finally, Napoleon III faced Prussia in 1870—he would be defeated and abdicate

the throne. The second Empire ends. There will be no more kings in France.