THE 2ND FRENCH REPUBLIQUE AND THE 2ND EMPIRE-Notes
THE 2ND FRENCH REPUBLIC AND THE 2ND EMPIRE
Overview
Period characterized by significant modernization and socio-political transformation in France and Europe.
Industrialization elevated the concern for workers' rights and societal conditions.
Emergence of Italy and Germany as unified nations.
Birth of Louis-Napoleon (1808)
Date: 20 April 1808
Parents: Louis Bonaparte (brother of Napoleon I) and Hortense de Beauharnais (Napoleon's step-daughter).
Background: Grew up with a respect for Bonaparte legacy and sought to restore the dynasty post-1815.
Failed Coups d'État (1836)
Context: Louis-Napoleon aimed to uphold Bonapartist legacy after death of his cousin, Napoleon II.
Event: Attempted a march on Paris from Strasbourg but was exiled to the United States.
Returned in 1837 to be with his mother before her death.
Imprisonment and Influence (1840-1846)
Caught during another coup attempt in 1840; imprisoned at Fort Ham.
Wrote influential political essay "The Extinction of Pauperism" during captivity.
Escaped in May 1846, returning to Britain.
Rise to Presidency (1848)
Event: February Revolution led to abdication of King Louis-Philippe and establishment of the Second French Republic.
Louis-Napoleon elected president on 10 December 1848, backed by conservative factions.
Faced conflicts between monarchists and republicans in the new Assembly.
Establishment of the Second Empire (1851-1852)
Key Actions: Dissolved the National Assembly, contravening the constitution on 2 December 1851.
Plebiscite supported new government structure, and on 2 December 1852, proclaimed the Second Empire.
Louis-Napoleon crowned as Napoleon III, Emperor of the French.
Marriage and Urban Transformation (1853)
Marriage: Wed Eugenie de Montijo; sought European alliance through marriage.
Urban Planning: Engaged Baron Haussmann for Paris modernization resulting in new infrastructure.
Mixed perceptions: some welcomed improvements; others mourned loss of old Paris charm.
Crimean War (1854-1856)
Conflict arising from Russian and Franco-British interests in the East.
Major victories for France at the Battle of Alma and Siege of Sebastopol.
Concluded with Treaty of Paris, positioning France favorably on the European stage.
International Exhibitions (1855)
Hosted the Exposition Universelle to showcase inventions and art.
Featured significant visitor turnout and showcased advancements like the saxophone.
Congress of Paris (1856)
Convened post-Crimean War to negotiate peace and balance power.
Reinforced France's diplomatic standing in Europe, addressing Italian unification.
Italian Unification Support (1858-1859)
Napoleon III secretly negotiated support for Italian states against Austria.
Key victories led to the Treaty of Zurich, furthering the cause of Italian unification.
Mexican Expedition (1861-1867)
Attempted to establish a French empire in Mexico, installing Maximilian but ultimately failed.
Juarez’s resistance and international opposition culminated in Maximilian's execution in 1867.
Treaty of Huế (1862)
Established French control over parts of Cochinchina and recognized rights for missionaries.
Workers' Rights (1864)
Recognized the workers' right to strike under certain conditions, albeit with restrictions.
Aimed to improve harsh working conditions stemming from industrialization.
Inauguration of the Gare du Nord (1865)
Opened as a key symbol of railway expansion, improving transport and boosting tourism.
Education Reforms (1867)
Educational reforms under the Second Empire included broader access to education for girls.
Suez Canal (1869)
Project initiated by de Lesseps; external pressures led to imperial negotiations over the project’s direction.
Downfall of the Empire (1870)
Increasing tensions with Prussia precipitated war; French army suffered significant defeats.
Napoleon III captured at Sedan; fall of the Second Empire declared on 4 September 1870.
Established a provisional government as Paris was besieged.