Louis Napoleon (III) (dec 20, 1848 – sep 4, 1870)

Description:

Wins 1848 elections in a landslide
- landholding middle classes (conservative liberal) like his stance in urban class revolts
- popular "positive program" for France (help France economically--all classes--and reluctantly support Catholic church)
- After butting heads with the conservative National Assembly he dismisses them in a coup

Growing Prussian threat and problems in Italy cost him support of middle class nationalists and Catholics
SOOOO he began liberalizing his empire
- gradually gave the National assembly more powers
- granted a new constitution in 1870
- coupled with disastrous war in Prussia, they overwhelmingly vote to support it

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