How did napoleon help further French nationalism?
Napoleon won election as President of the 2nd French Republic because of his successful appeal to Frenchmen regardless of class. That same nationalistic appeal won him the support for his seizure of power and establishment of the 2nd Empire. His popularity was further enhanced by the public works program which made the city of Paris into a city about which the French people could feel proud He also benefitted from the return of prosperity in the 1850’s. Prosperous conditions were enhanced by the activities and wealth being generated by the industrial revolution which entered into a new dynamic phase after mid-century. During the 1860’s, Napoleon allowed the French Assembly increasing influence. France was slowly evolving in a liberal direction. Napoleon’s popularity was, however, gradually eroded by foreign involvements. He brought France into involvement with Russia in the Crimean War (1853-1856). While French nationalism motivated France to be a self-appointed protector of the Roman
