WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In 1851, Louis Napoleon was not allowed by the Constitution of 1848 to seek re-election as President of the Second Republic of France; instead, he proclaimed himself President for Life following a coup in December and in 1852 declared himself the Emperor of France, Napoleon III.

Detailed explanation-2: -A nephew of Napoleon I, he was elected to the presidency of the Second Republic in 1848, and he seized power by force in 1851, when he could not constitutionally be reelected.

Detailed explanation-3: -The referendum was favourable, and thus Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor Napoleon III on 2 December 1852. Why then, did he call himself Napoleon “III”, since only one other Napoleon – his uncle – had really reigned over France?

Detailed explanation-4: -The election was held on 10 December 1848 and led to the surprise victory of Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte with 74% of the popular vote. This was the only direct presidential election until the 1965 French presidential election.

Detailed explanation-5: -On 2 December 1852, France, still under the effect of Napoleon’s legacy, and the fear of anarchy, conferred almost unanimously by a plebiscite the supreme power, with the title of emperor, upon Napoleon III.