Louis Napoleon was the first and only president of the French Second Republic, elected in 1848. Napoleon I was Louis Napoleon's paternal uncle, and one of his cousins was the disputed Napoleon II. He was born in Paris as the son of Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland, and his wife, Hortense de Beauharnais.

Prior to his reign, Napoleon III was known as Louis Napoleon Bonaparte. Further reading Biographical Secondary sources Primary sources In French Additional reading.Titles, styles, honours and arms Titles and styles Honours.Legacy Construction Assessment and reputation In films In fiction.Later years Declining health and rise of Prussia Search for allies, and war between Austria and Prussia Luxembourg Crisis Failure to increase the size of the French Army A last search for allies Hohenzollern candidacy and the Ems telegram Defeat in the Franco-Prussian War Battle of Sedan and capitulation Aftermath Captivity, exile and death.Social and economic policies Social policy and reforms Rights to strike and organise (1864–1866) Education for girls and women, school reform (1861–1869) Economic policy Lower tariffs and the re-opening of French markets (1860) Economic expansion and social change Growing opposition and liberal concessions (1860–1870).Life at the court of Napoleon III Visual arts.

Foreign policy (1852–1860) Principle of Nationalities Alliance with Britain and the Crimean War (1853–1856) Italian Campaign Early years War in Italy – Magenta and Solferino (1859) Overseas empire.The Second French Empire Middle years Modernising the infrastructure and the economy (1853–1869) Early construction Development of steamships and early reconstruction on Paris Reconstruction of Paris (1854–1870) Search for a wife.Early political career 1848 Revolution and birth of the Second Republic Presidential election of 1848 Prince-President (1848–1851) Coup d'état (December 1851).Early adult years Bonapartist succession and philosophy of Bonapartism Failed coup, exile in London (1836–1840) Travel Second coup, prison, escape and exile (1840–1848) Activities Return and early affairs.Childhood and family Early life Romantic revolutionary (1823–1835).

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