FRENCH IMPERIALISM OUTSIDE EUROPE UNDER NAPOLEON III (1852-1870)

Louis Napoléon BONAPARTE dominated the political scene of France and Europe for twenty-two years. Twenty-two years of an essential presence and a decisive influence on the destiny of France, Europe and part of the world. The reign of NAPOLEON III from 1852 to 1870 was a period of economic expansion and an era of Industrial Revolution for France, which led to the adoption of an active imperialist policy of presence in the extra-European world, due to of the abundance of capital and men, the feeling of superiority of European civilization and the missionary zeal of religious parties. Under NAPOLEON III, the colonial domain increased from 300,000 km² in 1850 to more than a million km² in 1870. The colonies served to enhance the prestige of the country and the dynasty and to give satisfaction to self-esteem. public opinion and Catholic circles. The colonizing impulse was encouraged and initiated by traders, business circles, the Saint-Simonians, a desire for naval power, a concern for prestige, evangelization, imperialism and humanitarianism.France was truly "global" and "universal" during the years of reign of Louis-Napoléon BONAPARTE.