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'''Louis Napoleon''' (1808-1873), also known as '''Napoleon III''' or Charles-Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, was the nephew of [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] who also ruled [[France]]; President of the French Second Republic 1848-1851 and Emperor Napoleon III of France 1851-1870.  He became emperor through a plebiscite and never ceased to seek a popular consensus to maintain his power. He modernized the country, promoting the expansion of railroads and telegraph lines - important means for the centralization of power in Paris, where he defeated every move toward democracy and political freedom. His reign began in triumph with his victory in 1856, together with his ally Britain, over Russia in the [[Crimean War]]. It ended in total disaster in 1871 with his defeat at Sedan in the Franco-Prussian War.   

'''Louis Napoleon''' (1808-1873), also known as '''Napoleon III''' or Charles-Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, was the nephew of [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] who also ruled [[France]]; President of the French Second Republic 1848-1851 and Emperor Napoleon III of France 1851-1870.  He became emperor through a plebiscite and never ceased to seek a popular consensus to maintain his power. He modernized the country, promoting the expansion of railroads and telegraph lines - important means for the centralization of power in Paris, where he defeated every move toward democracy and political freedom. His reign began in triumph with his victory in 1856, together with his ally Britain, over Russia in the [[Crimean War]]. It ended in total disaster in 1871 with his defeat at Sedan in the Franco-Prussian War.   

==Emperor==

==Emperor==

Louis Napoleon or Napoleon III was elected by a landslide in a fair election in 1848, thanks to support from traditionalists in rural areas. He thus became president of the new [[Second Republic of France]].  His coup d'etat December 1851 made his a dictator and ended the republic. It was an inevitable event in the political evolution of French society. The Second Republic had disappointed everyone except the politicians who directly benefited from it. While the Napoleonic cult of his uncle was helpful in Louis Napoléon's rise to power, Napoleon III was himself a shrewd politician. His boldness and wisdom were the main factors contributing to the success of the coup.

Louis Napoleon or Napoleon III was elected by a landslide in a fair election in 1848, thanks to support from traditionalists in rural areas. He thus became president of the new [[Second Republic of France]].  His coup d'état December 1851 made his a dictator and ended the republic. It was an inevitable event in the political evolution of French society. The Second Republic had disappointed everyone except the politicians who directly benefited from it. While the Napoleonic cult of his uncle was helpful in Louis Napoléon's rise to power, Napoleon III was himself a shrewd politician. His boldness and wisdom were the main factors contributing to the success of the coup.

[[File:Winterhalter, Empress Eugenie in court dress, 1853.jpg|thumb|[[Franz Xaver Winterhalter]], Empress Eugenie in court dress, 1853.]]

[[File:Winterhalter, Empress Eugenie in court dress, 1853.jpg|thumb|[[Franz Xaver Winterhalter]], Empress Eugenie in court dress, 1853.]]

By 1852 he replaced the Republic with the '''Second Empire''' of France, and installed himself as its emperor. He promoted liberalized policies within France, which enjoyed prosperity during much of his reign. He sought to accomplish an industrial modernization of France. Before 1860, Louis Napoleon can be seen as having achieved a deal of success; popular support appeared to be on his side.  Through various direct and indirect means, Napoleon controlled most of the French press, which extolled his political, diplomatic, military, religious, economic, architectural and cultural achievements and covered up his failures.

By 1852 he replaced the Republic with the '''Second Empire''' of France, and installed himself as its emperor. He promoted liberalized policies within France, which enjoyed prosperity during much of his reign. He sought to accomplish an industrial modernization of France. Before 1860, Louis Napoleon can be seen as having achieved a deal of success; popular support appeared to be on his side.  Through various direct and indirect means, Napoleon controlled most of the French press, which extolled his political, diplomatic, military, religious, economic, architectural and cultural achievements and covered up his failures.