How liberal was the Liberal Empire?

Softening  After setting up a virtual dictatorship in 1852 Napoleon III ‘softened’ the authoritarian nature of his regime in the second half of his rule  Historians have debated a) What were the motivations for this? b) How liberal really was the ‘liberal empire’?

Evidence of Political Liberalism  From around 1860 Napoleon III introduced a series of reforms which loosened the reigns of dictatorship allowed journalists to report on debates in parliament 2. Renounced his own right to borrow money for the state without parliamentary approval declared a amnesty for all political prisoners and exiles – most returned allowed parliament to vote on detailed budget proposals (final say however remained with him) 5. ‘Peaceful strikes’ legalised in Full trade union legality established in – proposal to abolish the ‘workers passport’ the livret a worker had to carry with him throughout his career

Explanations for Political Liberalism Napoleon was a genuine liberal who didn’t want dictatorship?

Explanation 2  Napoleon III needed a new political alliance to keep power – the ‘Party of Order’ of old elites had started to oppose him once the ‘red menace’ had passed  Napoleon III’s reforms therefore a cynical attempt to keep power by granting concessions to other groups – specifically moderate liberals and workers

Explanation 3  Napoleon from 1865 was in poor health and enable to maintain dictatorial rule The Empress commented in 1865: “I find a sick man… irresolute and exhausted. He can no longer walk, sleep… scarcely eat”

Emergence of Opposition  In 1863 a group of 40 members of parliament – moderate republicans and liberals – formed the ‘Third Party’  It was led by Emile Oliver and they campaigned for greater liberalisation  First time ever Napoleon III had faced any sort of opposition

1869 Elections  Saw an increase in support for the Third Party at which point Napoleon III decided to invite Oliver to be Prime Minister  It is at this point that political liberalisation began  Maybe an expedient attempt to keep power by bringing on board the opposition??

Economic Liberalism  Napoleon III was a supporter of free trade for two reasons a) It promoted economic growth and prosperity b) It cemented good relations with other countries (especially GB) Napoleon enthusiastically established a number of free trade treaties with foreign countries despite domestic opposition

Free Trade Treaties 1. Cobden-Chevalier Free trade treaty with GB 1860 reduced import duties in and out of both countries by 25% over 4 years. Coal, textiles, iron and steel from GB. Wines and silk from France 2. Similar treaties with Belgium (1861). Italy (1863), Netherlands (1865) and Portugal (1866)

Why Free trade?  Napoleon III faced considerable opposition from both French businessmen and workers who stood to lose business and jobs from foreign competition  The benefits of long term economic prosperity and short term alliance outweighed these difficulties

Question  How liberal was the liberal empire??