This article is taken from
Figaro Histoire “Napoleon III, impostor or visionary?”.
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a special file on the last French sovereign on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his death.
"Napoleon III, impostor or visionary?"
Le Figaro History
A specialist in the Second Republic and the Second Empire, Maxime Michelet is president of the Friends of Napoleon III-Historical Society of the Second Empire.
The fall of Napoleon III is one of the most brutal in our history.
While it seemed firmly established on the throne after the success of the plebiscite of May 8, at the end of which 7.3 million voters had approved the liberal turn of the institutions, the imperial dynasty did not survive the summer of 1870: rare occurrence of a debacle the day after a triumph.
Contrary to Charles X or Louis-Philippe, the power is not damaged in a revolt but in a military defeat.
By signing the declaration of war on Prussia on July 19, the Emperor could not imagine the extent of the disaster awaiting him.
Napoleon III, on the other hand, is aware...
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