Napoléon III –
Niveau collège - Fiche élève 2
A short biography of Napoleon III
Napoleon III (Louis Napoleon Bonaparte), 1808 -73, emperor of the French (1852-70)
Napoleon spent most of his youth in Germany and Switzerland with his mother Hortense (Fiche
enseignant 1). He became interested in politics quite early and he was influenced by his great-uncle’s
image. He attempted several insurrections for which he was condemned to life imprisonment. Before
escaping from jail, and find refuge in England he wrote books and pamphlets which contained socialist
ideas.
He came back to France in 1848 after the February Revolution, and was elected president in
December of the same year, mostly thanks to his famous name.
He then planned a coup which successfully took place on December 2, 1852, following which he
established the Second Empire and became Napoleon III, emperor of the French.
Although he exercised a dictatorial rule, he benefited from the fast material progress which helped to
improve the people’s everyday life. One of the most important figure of the time was the Baron
Haussmann who rebuilt Paris and gave his name to what are known now as the “ Haussmann
buildings”, a landmark in the Parisian landscape. Napoleon III, who loved England, also encouraged
the creation of English gardens and parks in and around the capital: the Buttes Chaumont, the Parc
Montsouris, the Bois de Boulogne, the Gardens of Bagatelle etc.
Under Napoleon III’s rule, France fought in the Crimean War against the Russians and came out
victorious. He also participated in the Italian Unification process for which France was rewarded the
Nice county and the Savoie province in 1860.
Unfortunately, during the second half of his reign, the recession brought discontent, so he decided to
declare the war to Prussia (Germany) which was under the iron rule of Bismarck.
This war proved disastrous, the French were defeated in 1870, Napoleon fled to England where he
spent the rest of his life. He died in 1873 and his remains still lie in St Michael's Abbey, Farnborough,
Hampshire.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Napoleon3.html
Activity 4
Find in the text the English equivalents of the following words:
Passer (du temps) – tenter – perpétuité - grâce à - coup d’état - bien que – améliorer-repère –
paysage - récompensé par - poigne de fer – restes
Activity 5
Translate the following sentences into English. Start all your sentences with although.
a) Bien que la France eût gagné la guerre, le peuple français n’était pas satisfait.
b) Bien que Napoléon III soit français, il est enterré en Angleterre
c) Bien qu’il ait duré plus longtemps, le Second Empire est beaucoup moins célèbre que le
premier.
d) Bien que les Français n’aiment pas Napoléon III, ils veulent que ses restes soient ramenés en
France.
Activity 6
Find information about the Crimean War and report to the class.
Find information about Haussmann and report to the class.