Challenges to Democracy: France 1789-1870

Napoleon III's belief that the government should actively support economic growth by investing in infrastructure, education, and stimulating the market.

A key French bank founded in 1852 that played a significant role in funding major French infrastructure projects.

The expansion and development of steamship transportation during the reign of Napoleon III.

The construction of a strategic waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, significantly impacting global trade.

The economic growth and development of France during the Second French Empire.

Napoleon III's approach to economic policy, where government plays an active role in fostering economic growth.

Napoleon III's desire to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of French industry by opening markets to foreign goods.

The period of rapid economic growth in France under Napoleon III, fueled by new technologies, infrastructure development, and investment.

The French National Convention abolished slavery in the French colonies in 1794, making France the first Atlantic empire to do so.

In 1802, Napoleon Bonaparte, then First Consul of France, revoked the decree of 1794 and reinstated slavery in French colonies.

The act of Napoleon re-imposing slavery in 1802 led to the Haitian Revolution and eventual independence in 1804.

While not all of France's colonies had enacted emancipation, the abrogation of the 1794 decree represented a major setback for the ideals of the French Revolution.

The Provisional Government of France (1848) was committed to republican ideals and abolitionism.

Victor Schoelcher, a prominent abolitionist, played a crucial role in advocating for the abolition of slavery in French colonies.

The French Provisional Government ultimately decreed the abolition of slavery in French colonies on April 27, 1848.

The French Republic, despite its initial commitment to abolishing slavery, faced challenges in maintaining that commitment, ultimately taking until 1848 to finally abolish the practice in its colonies.

Victor Hugo, initially a royalist, transformed into a passionate advocate for republicanism, championing causes like universal suffrage, free education, and the abolition of the death penalty.

Despite being elected as a conservative in 1848, Hugo later broke with the conservatives by giving a powerful speech against poverty and misery.

In 1851, Louis Napoleon, also known as Napoleon III, seized power and established an authoritarian regime, prompting Hugo to denounce him as a traitor and relocate to Brussels.

Hugo's exile took him to Jersey, then Guernsey, where he wrote impactful political pamphlets against Napoleon III, such as "Napoléon le Petit" and "Histoire d'un crime".

Napoleon III granted amnesty to exiles in 1859 but Hugo refused, as it would have limited his criticism of the government.

Hugo returned to France only after the fall of Napoleon III in 1870, where he was elected to the National Assembly and the Senate.

In 1860, Napoleon III granted the legislature the right to vote annually on the speech from the throne and the press the right to report parliamentary debates.

In 1861, Napoleon III empowered the legislature by allowing ministers to be held accountable for their programs and granting deputies the power to amend them.

National Workshops were created to address unemployment, providing jobs like building roads or planting trees, regardless of actual demand. This aimed to offer work to the unemployed.

High taxes imposed on land to fund social programs, including the National Workshops, led to resentment among rural farmers, as they had to pay for unemployed city dwellers.

The election of the Constituent Assembly in 1848 revealed public uncertainty toward the provisional government's liberal direction, with a majority of moderates and conservatives being elected.

The French Constitution of 1848 introduced universal male suffrage for the National Assembly and the President, creating a democratic system with separation of powers.

Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte won the first French Presidential election in 1848 with a surprising 74% of the votes.

The Second Republic's President was granted extensive power including proposing legislation, appointing officials, engaging in diplomacy, and commanding the military, subject to ministerial approval.

The 1848 French Presidential election was designed with only one round of voting, leaving the National Assembly to decide the winner if no candidate secured a majority.

The Second Republic's Constitution opted for a single individual, the President, to hold executive power, rather than a collective committee as seen in previous Republics.

The establishment of universal male suffrage in France in 1848 did not automatically guarantee a stable democratic regime. Even with expanded voting rights, conflicts and power struggles persisted, highlighting the complexities of establishing and maintaining democracy.

The Second Republic, established in 1848 after a popular uprising in Paris, faced significant opposition from the working class. This resulted in a violent clash in Paris, where thousands were killed.

The establishment of the Third Republic in 1875 was a remarkably peaceful and gradual process compared to the turbulent events of the Second Republic. It reflects a shift towards a more stable and less volatile political landscape.

The period between the Second Republic (1848) and the Third Republic (1875) witnessed a high turnover of government systems in France, showcasing a period of political instability and change.

France's political instability in the mid-nineteenth century stemmed from the tumultuous legacy of the French Revolution (1789). The revolution's ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity empowered different groups to challenge authority, often leading to conflict and instability.

The period between 1848 and 1875 marked a transition from the revolutionary era that began in 1789. It involved the dismantling of revolutionary structures and the establishment of more stable political systems.

The establishment of the Second Republic marked the end of the July Monarchy, which had been in power since 1830, and led to a new political era characterized by republican ideals.

The July Monarchy, under King Louis-Philippe, came to power after a revolution against the Bourbon monarch, Charles X, in 1830. It represented a shift from absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, but still faced challenges in its legitimacy and stability.

Louis Napoleon's victory in the 1848 presidential election was largely due to his appeal to different segments of the French population. He promised a stable government, no new taxes, and order at any cost, resonating with different groups for varying reasons.

The Second Republic was short-lived due to the political dominance of royalist factions in the National Assembly. These factions, both Legitimist and Orleanist, were skeptical of Louis Napoleon's ambiguous political position

Louis Napoleon's political agenda as President remained unclear due to his evasive political stance ('the Prince-President'). He strategically selected officials from various royalist factions to manage the government during his presidency.

The Party of Order, a coalition of moderate republicans and royalists, was a significant opposition to Louis Napoleon. He effectively neutralized this opposition by gaining control of key positions in the military and administration, presenting himself as a strong leader.

In June 1849, a socialist and radical republican uprising took place in Paris, aiming to overthrow Louis Napoleon. The uprising quickly collapsed under the President's decisive suppression tactics, silencing opposition voices and further strengthening his grip on power.

Following the June 1849 uprising, Louis Napoleon consolidated his power by declaring a state of siege in Paris, arresting opposition leaders, shutting down republican clubs and newspapers, and suppressing any remaining dissent.

Louis Napoleon's ascent to power was marked by carefully crafted political maneuvers that combined a strong military presence with appeals to various social groups. He used his position to neutralize opposition and establish himself as an authoritarian figure.

Despite having no clear ideology, Louis Napoleon's appeal to different social groups, his skillful management of the military, and his ruthless suppression of opposition ultimately paved the way for his transition to an authoritarian leader known as the 'Emperor Napoleon III'.