In 1851, the world's attention was fixed on Constantinople and Paris. The five-party talks drew everyone's notice in the first half of the year; in the latter half, all eyes were on Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte's performance.
After the coup in Paris ended, Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte did not stop. Instead, he accelerated his restoration efforts.
On August 2, 1851, France held a nationwide referendum. Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte obtained the right to amend the constitution, legalizing the coup.
On September 26, 1851, he ordered the national flag and emblem changed to the eagle, symbolizing the Napoleonic Empire and sounding the horn for restoration.
On October 3, Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the slogans of the French Revolution—liberty, equality, fraternity, and the like—removed from every building.
On October 15, Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte amended the constitution, changing the presidential term to one for life and expanding the president's powers without limit.
Historically, Yuan Shikai learned from him, except his abilities fell short and his methods were just that little bit worse...
In November, Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte toured the entire country, mingling with the common people and delivering speeches to win their hearts. At the same time, he did not forget to play the tragic card of his uncle, openly promoting imperial ideas.
The facts proved it highly effective. Even though more than thirty years had passed, Napoleon's standing in the hearts of the French people had not wavered.
Monarchy was still the mainstream across the world in this era. As citizens of a republic, the French people also felt lonely and isolated; in a moment of heated fervor, they joined in shouting, "Long live the Emperor!"
Before long, imperial rule became a hotly debated topic in France, and the newspapers controlled by Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte's faction began waving flags and beating drums for it.
While manufacturing public opinion, Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte also did