History Outline of Napoleon

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I. Division and Democracy in France A. For four months Paris resisted German rule. B. France Under Napoleon III 1. After the revolution of 1848, Napoleon III rose to power and set up the second empire. 2. The bourgeoisie saw him as a strong leader who would restore order. 3. Limits on Liberty a) At first the second empire looked like a constitutional monarchy. b) Napoleon III ruled much like a dictator, with the power to appoint his cabinet, the upper house of his legislature, and many officials. c) In the 1860’s, the emperor began to ease his control. 4. Promoting Economic Growth a) Like much of Europe, France prospered at mid century. b) Napoleon III promoted investment in industry and large scale ventures such as railroad building and the urban renewal of Paris. c) During this time the Suez canal was completed which linked the Mediterranean to the Red sea. 5. Foreign Adventures a) Napoleons worst failures were in foreign affairs. b) Napoleon tried to take control of Mexico by placing troops and a lot of money in the country but the Mexican patriots resisted and the plan was lost. c) Napoleon’s successes were almost as costly as his failures. 6. A Disastrous War with Prussia a) At this time, France was growing concerned with a growing increasingly concerned about a great rival, Prussia. b) The leader of Prussia, Otto Von Bismarck, lured France into war which was a disaster for France. C. Challenges of the Third Republic 1. After the capture of Napoleon III, republicans in France declared an end to the second empire and set up a provisional government. 2. The Paris Commune a) In 1871, an uprising broke out in Paris and rebels set up the Paris commune. b) The commune’s goal was to protect the new republic from royalists. 3. Government Structure a) The third republic remained in power for seventy years. b) France had many parties reflecting

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