How liberal was the Liberal Empire?

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

2. 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 • What were the motivations for this? • How liberal really was the ‘liberal empire’?

3. Evidence of Political Liberalism • From around 1860 Napoleon III introduced a series of reforms which loosened the reigns of dictatorship • 1860 allowed journalists to report on debates in parliament • Renounced his own right to borrow money for the state without parliamentary approval • 1859 declared a amnesty for all political prisoners and exiles – most returned • 1860 allowed parliament to vote on detailed budget proposals (final say however remained with him) • ‘Peaceful strikes’ legalised in 1864 • Full trade union legality established in 1868 • 1870 – proposal to abolish the ‘workers passport’ the livret a worker had to carry with him throughout his career

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

5. 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

6. 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”

7. 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

8. 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??

9. 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

10. Free Trade Treaties • 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 • Similar treaties with Belgium (1861). Italy (1863), Netherlands (1865) and Portugal (1866)

11. 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

12. Question • How liberal was the liberal empire??