“The weakness of the Second Republic led to the establishment of the Second Empire.” Discuss.

Candidates should offer a considered and balanced review of the problems of the Second Republic and how they may have contributed to the establishment of the Second Empire. There may be discussion of radical policies after February 1848 (adult male suffrage, abolition of censorship and the National Workshops). The Constituent Assembly was dominated by centrists and right wingers who were reluctant to raise taxes for social reform. By May/June many of the reforms were dismantled leading to the June Days and the suppression of revolutionaries by Cavaignac. The public disorder highlighted the weakness of the Republic especially its reliance on the army to control the situation. Louis Napoleon won the November election by five and half million votes. In a largely conservative nation, he promised stability and order and possible social reform. Louis Napoleon was able to use the presidency to stage a coup in 1851 to establish the Second Empire. The main weakness of the Second Republic was that it was too radical, and its main support was in Paris. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the weakness of the Second Republic led to the establishment of the Second Empire.