Other Nation Building Efforts

France Louis Napoleon quickly consolidated his power Presented himself as a man of the people Dissolved the Chamber of Deputies over the issue of male suffrage Rescinded the constitution of 1848

In 1852, Napoleon announced the Second Empire, with himself as Emperor Napoleon III He modernized France internally Worked with a professional and centrally controlled bureaucracy Focused on economic development Founded the Credit Mobilier bank, built railroads, promoted industry

Rebuilt the city of Paris Hired Baron von Haussmann who tore down the old city and replaced it with a modern sanitary system, grand boulevards, opera houses, shopping centers and theaters After 1860, Napoleon allowed more legislative input, relaxes censorship, and pursued free trade with Great Britain

In 1870, Napoleon found himself captured by the Prussian army and the second empire ended Workers in Paris refused to surrender and established the revolutionary Paris Commune A popularly elected Constituent Assembly crushed the Paris Commune and established the Third Republic

Russia The Crimean War demonstrated Russia’s weakness as compared to other great powers Alexander II embarked on a series of top-down reforms that proved too little too late Abolished serfdom in 1861

Peasants continued to live on the village mirs until they paid for the land that they received Alexander introduced equality into the legal system, abolished corporal and capital punishment, created local assemblies known as zemstvos, and reformed the army

Changes did not heal the growing rift between those who emphasized Russia’s unique traditions (Slavophiles) and those who believes Russia needed to become more modern (Westernizers) Led by discontented individuals, anarchism gained support Eventually and anarchist inspired group called the People’s Will succeeded in assassinating Alexander

Austria-Hungary The Austria Empire was ruled by Franz Joseph I Attempted to hold together his diverse realm through bureaucracy, the army, and loyalty to the Habsburg Dynasty Following 1848, Austria focused on internal development and centralization around the German language

These policies further alienated the Slavic and Magyar ethnic minorities Franz Joseph allowed the creation of the Dual Monarchy in 1867 Allowed autonomy for the Magyars but maintained unity through common ministries of finance, foreign affairs, and war Neither kingdom was democratic

The Hungarians pursued Magyarization in their part of the empire Suppressed the Slavic languages and culture The Reichsrat often descended into ethnic conflict and Franz Joseph was forced to rule by decree