1848–1870: Revolution & 2nd Empire
Louis Napoleon, nephew of the Great Man, became President of the Republic. Not content with this he made himself Emperor as Napoleon III in 1852 and this period was known as the Second Empire which lasted till 1870. He became more and more authoritarian and unpopular resulting in the collapse of the Second Empire.
The Empire ended with the country in turmoil. It was at war with some of its own citizens as well as the Prussians. Paris was besieged and eventually in January 1870 surrendered bringing about a national humiliation which was to last for many years.