French Second Empire

The French Second Empire was the period from 1852 to 1870 when Napoleon III ruled France as emperor. It followed the upheaval of the 1848 revolution and was marked by economic growth, modernization, and ambitious infrastructure projects like railways and public buildings. Politically, Napoleon III maintained a centralized, authoritarian government but also promoted some liberal reforms. The empire aimed to restore France’s influence abroad and enjoyed cultural and artistic flourishing. However, it faced challenges, culminating in defeat during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, which led to the empire's collapse and the establishment of the Third Republic.