Ancient history

The rise of the Empire

The Constitution of January 14, 1852 instituted by Napoleon III was largely inspired by that of Year VIII. If universal male suffrage is restored, all executive powers are nevertheless concentrated in the hands of the head of state. He could appoint members of the Council of State, whose task was to prepare laws, and of the Senate, a body permanently established as a constituent part of the Empire. The legislative body was again elected by universal male suffrage but it had no right of initiative, all laws were proposed by the executive branch (but passed by parliament). This political change quickly had the same consequences as that of 18 Brumaire.

It was by plebiscite that on November 21, 1852, the French approved by 7,824,000 yes against 253,000 no (and 2 million abstentions) the senatus-consultum restoring the imperial dignity for the benefit of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, now the Emperor Napoleon III.