1848
23 April Elections give a clear majority to moderate republicans
21 June Ateliers nationaux are disbanded
21-6 June Savage repression of workers' uprising in Paris
10 December Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte wins presidential elections
1849
13 May Legislative elections see swing to the right
1851
December Louis-Napoleon carries out a coup
1852
2 December The Second Empire is proclaimed
1854
27 March Napoleon declares war on Russia
1856
Treaty of Paris marks the end of war with Russia
1858
14 January Napoleon survives assassination attempt
1859
3 May Declaration of war on Austria
24 June Franco-Piedmontese army defeats
Austrians at Solferino
1861
Expedition to defend French interests in Mexico
1863
11 April Cambodia becomes a protectorate
1864
25 May Right to strike is recognised in law