National Assembly for making decisions and passing legislations. Unfortunately, the democratic ideals of the First Republic were not destined to last very long. The year 1799 saw the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, who not only conquered France but led his army in a sweep through Europe as well. At first, many people saw Napoleon as a heroic figure who was seeking to unify and strengthen Europe. However, this attitude quickly changed when, in 1804, Napoleon proclaimed himself to be "emperor" of his domain. Napoleon Bonaparte held this position until 1815, when he was at last overthrown and exiled.
Various other rulers came and went in French politics over the following decades. After Napoleon was exiled, an attempt was made to restore the House of Bourbon which Louis XVI had belonged to. In 1814, Louis XVIII le Desire sought to accomplish this aim. In 1824, Charles X took over the restored House of Bourbon and kept it in power until 1830. In that year, Louis Philippe (known as the "Citizen King") came to power. In 1848, the French government again changed hands when Louis Napoleon, a nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, was named as president of the "Second Republic." In the year 1852, Louis Napoleon surprised the other nations of Europe by following in his uncle's footsteps and declaring himself to be emperor. Renaming himself "Napoleon III," the Second Empire was born. This Second Empire continued to hold power in France until 1870.
In 1870, several events occurred which once again shook up the political climate of the country. In that year, Napoleon III decided to declare war against the neighboring nation of Prussia. The French government at that time was concerned that Prussia's expansion policies would lead it to take over some of the border areas that it shared with France. The Franco-Prussian War only lasted a period of months; however, it was a devastating effort for the people of France. At the end of the war, ...