Show notes
Napoleon III was in equal parts implausible, hapless and ambitious. But in 1848 he finally succeeded in achieving his long-held ambition of taking power in France. In the second instalment of our exploration of Napoleon III's life, we explore how he bounced back from his second failed coup, seized the initiative in the course of the 1848 revolution, and honed his populist style of politics to appeal to all sides of the political divides. How did he reverse his fortunes as an escaped political prisoner to become President of France, and why as President did he decide to carry out yet another coup? Edward Shawcross returns to take us through this rollercoaster of French politics and intrigue.Get Edward's books: https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571361304-the-peoples-emperor/?srsltid=AfmBOoomYEkfA0l83B2WxSnkmV7WFm30bUTqFFdkdxD7UlFQs7ltCPIfhttps://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571360581-the-last-emperor-of-mexico/Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/thenapoleonicwarspodChapters00:00 Introduction to Louis Napoleon and his coups02:12 Exile in London and social life in the demi-monde03:49 Louis Napoleon's political ambitions and 1848 revolution07:08 The rise of the Second Republic and the new electoral landscape11:52 Louis Napoleon's electoral strategy and populist appeal15:49 The 1848 presidential election and his surprising victory21:05 The use of plebiscites and propaganda to legitimize power25:02 The 1851 coup d'etat and the path to empire29:57 Challenges faced by Louis Napoleon as president35:00 The expedition to Rome and foreign policy missteps40:05 Consolidation of power and the 1852 referendum44:49 The legacy of Louis Napoleon and lessons on populismkeywordsLouis Napoleon, Napoleon III, French history, populism, coup d'etat, 19th-century France, political strategy, democracy, revolution, empire