French Liberalism and Imperialism in the Age of Napoleon III: Empire at Home, Colonies Abroad

This book explores the interplay between liberalism and imperialism in Second Empire France, arguing that liberals were more conveyers of political change than supporters of the Bonapartist regime. It provides three in-depth case studies on Bonapartist expansion projects in Algeria, Cochinchina, and Mexico, illustrating how this shaped a specific liberal political culture in France.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 219 pages
Publication date: 27 February 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate relationship between liberalism and imperialism in Second Empire France. By examining the political dimension of imperial expansion and the persuasive power of words in shaping public opinion, it sheds light on the evolution of liberal ideas during the nineteenth century. Unlike Britain, French imperialism in the third quarter of the nineteenth century was fostered by a Bonapartist regime that liberals sought to challenge in order to establish their own political identity. The author argues that the 1860s were not a period of 'liberal empire in France' as traditionally suggested, as liberals were more agents of political change than supporters of the regime. To illustrate how French liberals successfully crafted an alternative political option, the book explores their attitudes towards Napoleon III's expanding colonial empire in the 1850s and 60s through an analysis of parliamentary debates, press coverage, and published texts. Providing three in-depth case studies on Bonapartist expansion projects in Algeria, Cochinchina, and Mexico, the book offers fresh insights into the foundations of the liberal position on imperialism and the intellectual outlooks and belief systems that informed these views. By analyzing discourses and ideas rather than merely focusing on facts and policies, this book presents a novel perspective on the nature of the French Second Empire and demonstrates how it shaped a distinct liberal political culture in France.

Weight: 315g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030958909
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022