Napoleon III's domestic policy.
- Created by: Ciara
- Created on: 21-05-14 20:18
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- Napoleon III's Domestic Policy
- "Credit Mobilier"/"Credit Foncier"
- Provided investment for industrial concerns and urban development.
- Railway system extended and length of track grew to 11,000 miles by 1870.
- Industrial growth.
- Pig iron production rose.
- French imports/exports.
- Value rose from 2615 million francs in 1851 to 8008 million francs in 1870.
- Firm believer in free trade.
- 1860 - Anglo-French Commercial Treaty: reduced duties on British coal and manufactured goods in return for concessions on tariffs on French wines/brandy.
- Reciprocal tariff reductions with Belgium, german Zollverein, Italy, etc.
- Policies were opposed by small business owners who were supportive of protection.
- 1860 - Anglo-French Commercial Treaty: reduced duties on British coal and manufactured goods in return for concessions on tariffs on French wines/brandy.
- Paris was remodelled under Baron Hausmann.
- 20,000 houses demolished, perhaps twice that many created.
- Politically docile.
- Local Prefects exerted pressure on behalf of the regime.
- 1852 - only 8 out of 261 representatives in the Legislative Chamber were opposed to the regime.
- 1857 - Republicans only had five Deputies in the Chamber.
- But things began to deteriorate from the late 1850's...
- Ultramontane Catholics became dissatisfied as Church schools came into conflict with the proponents of secular education and because Napoleon III supported Cavour's policies in Italy.
- Local Prefects exerted pressure on behalf of the regime.
- Attempted to broaden base of support by making concessions to the left.
- Senate and Legislative Chamber were allowed to reply to the Emperor's address and publish their debates.
- 1867 - Allowed to question government ministers.
- 1864 - Strikes permitted.
- 1868 - Press controls relaxed.
- These policies were a calculated risk...
- May have preserved the Second Empire, but offered greater scope to opposition too.
- Considerable problems during 1860s...
- Emperor's health was failing.
- 1865 - Duc de Morny (most gifted politician of the Second Empire) died.
- His successor (Rouher) was not of a high calibre.
- Leftist opposition continued to increase.
- Elections in 1863/1869 saw the election of many Republicans to the point where they dominated representation from major towns and cities.
- 1869 - Thiers' centrist Third Party won 116 seats; 3.3 million people voted against government.
- Made Legislative Chamber a proper parliament with attendant powers.
- Regime wasn't in serious danger from opposition.
- Government never lost an election.
- May 1870 - A Plebiscite on the changes approved them; 7 million voted in favour with 1 and a half million against.
- POSITIVES
- Credit agencies (banks)
- Railway development.
- Industrial growth (e.g. pig iron).
- Size of french economy grew.
- Free trade agreements.
- Remodelling of Paris.
- Early political control/support.
- Political reforms to broaden base of support.
- Legislative Chamber turned into proper Parliament with powers.
- Regime not in serious danger from opposition.
- May 1870 - Plebiscite backed changes.
- NEGATIVES
- Industrial growth still less than UK/Prussia.
- Credit Mobilier ran into trouble from mid 1850s.
- Small businesses opposed free trade.
- Poorer people lost accommodation.
- Reforms offered more scope to opposition.
- Growth in Republicanism.
- Death of able Duc de Morny.
- "Credit Mobilier"/"Credit Foncier"
- NEGATIVES
- Industrial growth still less than UK/Prussia.
- Credit Mobilier ran into trouble from mid 1850s.
- Small businesses opposed free trade.
- Poorer people lost accommodation.
- Reforms offered more scope to opposition.
- Growth in Republicanism.
- Death of able Duc de Morny.
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