Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte's coup dissolves the French National Assembly

Background. Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte served as President of France from 1848. The constitution prohibited incumbent presidents from seeking re-election, forcing the end of his rule in December 1852. In the first half of 1851, he attempted to amend the constitution through Parliament to allow re-election. In July 1851, a vote of 446 to 278 favored changing the law to allow him to run again, but it fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to amend the constitution. Separately, a May 1850 election law passed by 433 to 241 had put the National Assembly on a collision course with the Prince-President.

Coup Execution. On 2 December 1851, Louis-Napoléon staged a self-coup to stay in power. His objectives included implementing reform programs, specifically the restoration of universal male suffrage previously abolished by the legislature. The action was taken because he could not constitutionally be re-elected, necessitating force to maintain authority.

Aftermath. Days after the coup, a constitutional referendum approved the continuation of Louis-Napoléon's authority and the power to produce a new constitution. This resulted in the Constitution of 1852, which greatly increased the powers and term length of the president. The new constitution concentrated significant power in his hands, setting the stage for the eventual proclamation of the Empire.