1. Napoleon & The Habsburgs: Failing Empires
Mr. Meester
AP European History

2. The 2nd French Republic
Louis Napoleon became the President of the Second French Republic in December, 1848.
He was not committed to the Republic.
1849, elections for the Legislative Assembly clearly indicated that the people were not bound to it either.
The Conservatives and Monarchists scored significant gains
The Republicans and Liberals lost power

3. 2nd French Empire
Louis Napoleon drafted a new constitution which resulted in a highly centralized government.
He was to have a ten year term
Power to declare war
To control the armed forces
To conduct foreign policy
To initiate and pronounce all laws
The new Legislative Assembly would be under the control of the President.
On December 2, 1852, he announced himself as Napoleon III, Emperor of the French.

4. Authoritarian Empire
The 1850’s was a decade of conservative authoritarian rule for Napoleon III
Censorship of the Press
Harassed political dissidents
Controlled the legislature
Drew support from the Army, Catholic Church, peasants, & business people
Security to protect property
Protector of the Pope and Catholics
Won the Crimean War

5. 1860’s: Decade of the Liberal Empire
The empire was liberalized in the 1860’s through a series of reforms.
Living conditions improved during this period.
The economic system was also improved.
The arts also prospered during this period.
Victor Hugo, Gustav Flaubert, Renoir, and Monet
Legislature regained some influence
Regained control of education from the Church
Promoted trade unions
This liberalization was designed to divert criticism from Napoleon III’s unsuccessful foreign policy.

6. Foreign Policy Mistakes
Napoleon III made several mistake in regards to foreign policy
The Crimean War. (little actual benefit)
Italian Unification.
Establishment of colonies in Africa and Indochina.
The short lived reign of Maximillian in Mexico
Resulted in increased criticism of Napoleon III and his authority.
The Second Empire collapsed after the Franco- Prussian War
Napoleon III was captured
Died 3 years later in England
Paris fell to the Prussians

7. Commune & Republic
After the war Paris elected a new government called the Paris Commune
It intended to govern Paris separate from the rest of France
It was made up largely of Socialists & other radicals
Was more anarchist than communist
The French Army attacked the city killing 20,000 people
The Commune helped unify the rest of France
The 3rd Republic was created by default after monarchists failed to agree on a king
Lasted till 1940

8. The Dreyfus Affair
Started in 1894 when French Captain Alfred Dreyfus was accused of passing military secrets the Germans.
The evidence was flimsy (later proved to be forged)
Dreyfus was the scapegoat (was Jewish)
The real traitor was found 2 years later after Dreyfus has been sent to Devil’s Island. (He was acquitted)
1898, After severe public outrage, Dreyfus got a new military trial
Army, Conservative, Catholics vs. Liberals, Socialist, etc.
Was found guilty again (was immediately pardoned)
Prime example of Anti-semitism

9. Austrian Response to 1848
In 1848 the Habsburg Empire remained absolutist, agrarian empire
Around it Europe was becoming more liberal, industrialized, & Nation-based
Franz Joseph was the new emperor of Austria. He tried to impose more centralized gov’t.
Dominated by German speaking Austrians
Controlled by the bureaucracy & military
Catholics got to control education
Ethnic groups who helped in 1848 got nothing for their loyalty

10. Austrian Reform
After Austria’s defeat to the Italians in 1859, Franz Joseph realized he needed to make some reforms from within his country.
He granted a constitution and set up a legislature.
The 1861 February Patent
It was still dominated by German speaking Austrians and did little for the other nationalities of the empire.
The Hungarians were determined to obtain self- government.
Refused to participate in the legislature

11. The Dual Monarchy
Hungarians saw their chance for autonomy when Austria lost its war with Prussia in 1866.
1867, under the leadership of Francis Deak a compromise (Ausgleich) was established and the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary.

12. Austrian-Hungarian Empire
Each country was separate with its own constitution, but shared the same monarch. (Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary)
The Hungarians would have their own assembly, cabinet, and administrative system.
The Slavic people of the empire still pursued independence, causing conflict.