The Second French Republic 1848-1852

This book follows the story of the Second French Republic from its idealistic beginnings in February 1848 to its formal replacement in December 1852 by the Second Empire. Based on original archival research, The Second French Republic gives a detailed account of the internal tensions that irrevocably weakened France’s shortest republic. During this short period French political life was buffeted by strong and often contrary forces: universal manhood suffrage, fear of socialism, the President Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, and the political ambitions of the military high command for the restoration of the monarchy.    

“This work stands up as a valuable and exhaustively researched addition to the history of the Second Republic. It sheds new light on the thoughts and motivations of conservatives at the heart of the regime and is a great addition and corrective to existing texts that tend to focus on republican and socialist personalities, experiences and opinions.” (W. Jack Rhoden, French History, Vol. 31 (4), December, 2017)

“Guyver … provides an excellent, comprehensive, updated account that clearly reflects decades of Second Republic immersion. … Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students and faculty.” (R. J. Goldstein, Choice, Vol. 54 (10), June, 2017)

“The complex legacy of the French Revolution and its internal contradictions explain why the French grappled with a particular set of challenges in their efforts to build representative government on the ruins of the Old Regime and the First Empire. As a result, in this country of paradoxes capable of both excess and moderation, the apprenticeship of liberty has been particularly long and arduous. Christopher Guyver’s well-researched book sheds fresh light on this issue by covering a key period in the history of modern France. Based on a meticulous archival research, it should be a reference point for anyone interested in the Second Republic as well as the last years of the July Monarchy and the first years of the Second Empire.” (Aurelian Craiutu, Professor of Political Science, Indiana University, USA)    

“An absorbing and stimulating reappraisal of France's first truly democratic regime. Guyver draws superbly on original archives to highlight the tensions and political conflicts of the Second Republic, which subsequently cast a long shadow over the French republican tradition. A major contribution to the historiography of nineteenth century France.” (Sudhir Hazareesingh, CUF Lecturer in Politics, University of Oxford, UK)   

“This is a major reinterpretation of a crucially important yet neglected period of French history - the Second Republic, whose political and social legacy long outlived its short life. The book draws on new and forgotten sources to present a fresh and convincing picture of four very turbulent years. Its detail and scope also make it a pleasure to read.” (Munro Price, Professor of Modern European History, University of Bradford, UK)   

Christopher Guyver has taught at the Universities of Oxford, Warwick, Sussex, and Bradford, UK. This is his first book.