Napoleon III
- Born:
- April 20, 1808, Paris, France
- Died:
- January 9, 1873, Chislehurst, Kent, England
- Nationality:
- French
- Profession(s):
- Politician, Emperor of the French
Early Life and Education
- Born Charles-Louis Napoléon Bonaparte, nephew of Napoleon I.
- Received private tutoring in Switzerland and Germany.
- Studied military science and economics.
- Participated in political intrigues and attempted coups in France in 1836 and 1840.
Career and Major Achievements
- Elected to the National Assembly in 1848.
- Elected President of the Second Republic in 1848.
- Staged a coup d'état in 1851.
- Proclaimed himself Emperor of the French in 1852, establishing the Second Empire.
- Oversaw significant economic modernization, including railway expansion and industrial growth.
- Rebuilt Paris under the direction of Baron Haussmann.
- Led France in the Crimean War (1854-1856) and the Second Italian War of Independence (1859).
- Annexed Nice and Savoy to France.
- His reign saw fluctuations in popularity due to shifts in foreign policy and economic conditions. The perception of the "prix 20 francs napoleon 3 biography" itself can vary greatly.
- Deposed after the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.
- Exiled to England.
Legacy and Impact
Napoleon III's reign was a period of significant modernization and economic growth in France, but also marked by controversial foreign policy decisions and ultimately ended with military defeat and the collapse of the Second Empire.
Notable Works
| Title | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Extinction du pauperisme | 1844 | A pamphlet outlining his social and economic ideas. |