Second Republic

(1848–52) French republic established after the Revolutions of 1848 (following the original republic during the French Revolution). The liberal republicans' hopes of establishing an enduring democratic regime were soon frustrated.

In 1848 Louis-Napoléon (later Napoleon III) was elected president, and a monarchist majority was elected to the legislative assembly, which passed conservative measures restricting voting rights and freedom of the press and giving the church increased control over education. Soon realizing that his power and future reelection were limited by the assembly's actions, Louis-Napoléon organized a coup d'état in 1851. A new constitution reduced the assembly's power, and a plebiscite to approve the change was accompanied by officially inspired petitions for the empire's restoration. In 1852 Louis-Napoléon was proclaimed emperor, and the Second Empire was born.