How liberal was the Liberal Empire?www.educationforum.co.uk

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 dictatorship1. 1860 allowed journalists to report on debates in parliament2. Renounced his own right to borrow money for the state without

parliamentary approval3. 1859 declared a amnesty for all political prisoners and exiles – most

returned4. 1860 allowed parliament to vote on detailed budget proposals (final say

however remained with him)5. ‘Peaceful strikes’ legalised in 18646. Full trade union legality established in 18687. 1870 – 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 Treaties1. 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??