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Napoleon III is Elected President of France
Despite the fact that Napoleon III had no political presence prior to 1848, he had a massive lead over his other 4 colleagues running for president that year. This was because he favored universal male suffrage, had the Marxist idea that the working class feared the socialist challenges of urban workers, and believed that the government should be represented by the people, NOT the Parliament or political parties. -
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Changes in France's Government
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Napoleon III Assembles an Army After He Was Unable to Have a 2nd Term.
After failing to change the Constitution to allow his 2nd term, he began to illegally conspire with key army officers. By restoring universal male suffrage, he unanimously won the vote and led the French nation. -
Napoleon III Brought Success to France's Economy
His government encouraged the new investment banks and massive road construction that were at the heart of the Industrial Revolution. Furthermore, he ceated an ambitious program to rebuild Paris to better fit the evolving urban society. With this, their economy skyrocketed. -
Napoleon III's Electoral System Disintegrated
Because he was a sincere nationalist, Napoleon III had desired to not only gain influence and territory for France, but also for his own personal gain. This, however, backfired immensely, since issues in Italy and the rising power of Prussia led to him dealing with criticism from his Catholic and nationalist supporters, leading many to denounce his once powerful reign. -
Napoleon III Continually Liberalizes His Empire
Napoleon III gave the public more freedom in terms of voting. He gave the Assembly greater powers and candidates on the opposing side greater freedom, which allowed the opposition, consisting of republicans, monarchists and liberals 45% of the vote. -
Napoleon III Gave Rights to Working Class
Napoleon III continued to show concern for the middle and working class by regulating pawn shops, credit unions and better housing. On top of that, he allowed all citizens to form unions and strike, which was a right largely ignored by earlier economic government. -
Napoleon III Grants a New Constitution
In 1970, and sick and weary Napoleon III granted France one last constitution before his reign ended. This constitution combined a basically parliamentary regime with a heredity emperor as chief of state. In the midst of the war with Prussia, 7.5 million voted in favor, whereas only a measly 1.5 million opposed it. From this, Napoleon III revived universal male suffrage and a strong nation state in a democratic manner.