France (2nd Empire)

The Second French Empire (1852–1870) was a period when Napoleon III ruled France as emperor, following his 1852 coup d'état that ended the French Second Republic. It was characterized by political stability, economic growth, and modernization efforts, including infrastructure and urban development. Napoleon III aimed to strengthen France’s international influence through military campaigns and diplomatic alliances. The empire also saw cultural and industrial advancements but faced criticism for authoritarian rule and censorship. It ended after France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870), leading to the empire’s collapse and the establishment of the French Third Republic.