History of Western society, from the age of exploration to the
present.
Chapter 23
Napoleon III in France:
“How did Napoleon III seek to reconcile popular and conservative forces in
an authoritarian nation-State?”
First France’s Second Republic. Louis Napoleon got widespread support in
1848 because:
1. He had the great name of his uncle.
2. Middle class and peasant property owners wanted a tough leader to protect
their property and provide stability against the fear of socialism and
revolution.
3. Napoleon promoted a vision of national unity and social progress, believed
government should represent the people and help them economically.
He had to share his power with the national assembly which was highly
conservative, even though he provided them with many advantages, in 1851
the Assembly didn’t let him run for a second term. Napoleon dismissed the
legislature and seized power in a coup d’état. By restoring universal male
suffrage, Napoleon called on the French to legalize his actions and they did.
-> Napoleon III’s second empire (1850-1872), first he promoted economic
growth through public works and investment. Until mid-1860s he had support
from the working class (right to form unions and right to strike). Napoleon
restricted but did not abolish the new Assembly, until 60s great victory for
government-candidates in elections but then the system disintegrated.
Problems in Italy and rising power of Prussia led to critics and the middle-
class liberal who wanted less authoritarian power eventually succeeded.
Napoleon gave the Assembly greater powers and granted France a new
constitutions which combined a parliamentary regime with an emperor.
Nation building in Italy, Germany, and the US:
“How did conflict and war lead to the construction of strong nation-states in
Italy, Germany and the US?”
- Italy:
* Italy to 1850, goal of unified Italy in 3 approaches:
1. Radical and idealistic Giuseppe Mazzini called for a centralized
democratic republic based on universal male suffrage and the will of the
people -> Seen as too radical.
2. Vincenzo Gioberti, a Catholic priest, called for a federation of existing
states under the presidency of a progressive pope -> oppose national unity
and modern trends.
3. Autocratic kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont.
-> Most support, Sardinia appeared to be liberal, progressive state ideally
suited to drive Austria out of Northern Italy and lead a united Italy.
* Cavour and Garibaldi in Italy:
Leader of Sardinia was Cavour, aimed at uniting Northern and central Italy
in expanded kingdom of Sardinia. In 1850s, he worked to consolidate a
liberal constitutional state by promoting economic growth and expanding
present.
Chapter 23
Napoleon III in France:
“How did Napoleon III seek to reconcile popular and conservative forces in
an authoritarian nation-State?”
First France’s Second Republic. Louis Napoleon got widespread support in
1848 because:
1. He had the great name of his uncle.
2. Middle class and peasant property owners wanted a tough leader to protect
their property and provide stability against the fear of socialism and
revolution.
3. Napoleon promoted a vision of national unity and social progress, believed
government should represent the people and help them economically.
He had to share his power with the national assembly which was highly
conservative, even though he provided them with many advantages, in 1851
the Assembly didn’t let him run for a second term. Napoleon dismissed the
legislature and seized power in a coup d’état. By restoring universal male
suffrage, Napoleon called on the French to legalize his actions and they did.
-> Napoleon III’s second empire (1850-1872), first he promoted economic
growth through public works and investment. Until mid-1860s he had support
from the working class (right to form unions and right to strike). Napoleon
restricted but did not abolish the new Assembly, until 60s great victory for
government-candidates in elections but then the system disintegrated.
Problems in Italy and rising power of Prussia led to critics and the middle-
class liberal who wanted less authoritarian power eventually succeeded.
Napoleon gave the Assembly greater powers and granted France a new
constitutions which combined a parliamentary regime with an emperor.
Nation building in Italy, Germany, and the US:
“How did conflict and war lead to the construction of strong nation-states in
Italy, Germany and the US?”
- Italy:
* Italy to 1850, goal of unified Italy in 3 approaches:
1. Radical and idealistic Giuseppe Mazzini called for a centralized
democratic republic based on universal male suffrage and the will of the
people -> Seen as too radical.
2. Vincenzo Gioberti, a Catholic priest, called for a federation of existing
states under the presidency of a progressive pope -> oppose national unity
and modern trends.
3. Autocratic kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont.
-> Most support, Sardinia appeared to be liberal, progressive state ideally
suited to drive Austria out of Northern Italy and lead a united Italy.
* Cavour and Garibaldi in Italy:
Leader of Sardinia was Cavour, aimed at uniting Northern and central Italy
in expanded kingdom of Sardinia. In 1850s, he worked to consolidate a
liberal constitutional state by promoting economic growth and expanding
