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The Second Empire (1852-1870)
This sheet presents the Second Empire. It also helps to understand what political regimes have brought to our current system.
Key points of the sheet
- Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte carries out a coup d’État in December 1851. On 2 December 1852, he becomes emperor under the name Napoléon III. He is the nephew of Napoléon I.
- At first, the Second Empire is an authoritarian regime. The emperor concentrates power and limits freedoms. In the 1860s, the regime becomes more liberal: freedoms are greater.
- During this period, the economy modernises. France opens up to Europe.
- Despite some reforms, the emperor's authority declines. The Second Empire ends on 4 September 1870, after the defeat against Prussia.
- Universal male suffrage is kept, but elections are controlled to protect those in power. In 1864, the right to strike is partially allowed.
- During its liberal phase, the regime gradually strengthens the rights of Parliament. In 1870, a constitutional reform creates a parliamentary-type regime with two chambers. The emperor can still appoint and dismiss ministers.
Words to know
- coup d’État
- Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte organises a coup d’État in December 1851.
- Napoléon III
- It is the name Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte takes as emperor; he is the nephew of Napoléon I.
- universal male suffrage (suffrage universel masculin)
- It is kept under the Second Empire, but elections are controlled.
- right to strike (droit de grève)
- In 1864, the right to strike is partially allowed.
- parliamentary-type regime (régime de type parlementaire)
- A constitutional reform in 1870 sets it up with two legislative chambers.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Who is Napoléon III?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui est Napoléon III ?
Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, who rules as Napoléon III, is the nephew of Napoléon I.
The Second Empire ends after a defeat against which country?
In French, the language of the exam: Le Second Empire s'achève après une défaite contre quel pays ?
The Second Empire ends on 4 September 1870, after the defeat against Prussia.
Which right is partially allowed in 1864?
In French, the language of the exam: Quel droit est partiellement autorisé en 1864 ?
In 1864, the right to strike is partially allowed.
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More in this topic (Political regimes since 1789)
- The Consulate (Consulat) (1799-1804)
- The Provisional Government of the French Republic (1944-1946)
- The Vichy regime (1940-1944)
Source
Sheet “Le 2nd Empire (1852-1870)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.