His foreign policy was shown ineffective in the Italian Campaign. His aim was still to increase prestige of France. In 1859, Napoleon went to the war with Austria in supporting the efforts of the Italian Kingdom of Sardinia to drive Austria out of Italy. According to Norman Rich, “The situation in Italy offered him a dramatic opportunity to place himself at the head of the European nationalist movement.” This shows us that he wanted to increase the prestige of France. However, he has miscalculated the situation. His armies failed to score a quick victory over the Austrians and in the Italian nationalist movement he found he has unable to control. Fearing that Prussia and other German states might come to aid of Austria and alarming that Italian unity could become harmful to France if she became too powerful, he made peace with Austria without consulting his Italian allies. He left Venetia under Austrian rule and forced Sardinia in return to give up Nice and Savoy for France. Although he could get Nice and Savoy, however, he lost the friendship of Italy and Britain. Therefore, we can conclude that his foreign policy was quite ineffective.
Besides, his foreign policy was shown in effective in the Polish Revolt. He still wanted to increase French prestige, however, he was failed. His encouragement of the Polish rebellion again Russia in 1863 gave rise to cruelly false hopes among Polish patriots, to whom he was unable to give effective aid according to Norman Rich. Such kind of action was failed to increase French prestige and led to further increasing hostile between France and Russia. From the above we can be seen, his foreign policy was proved ineffective again in the Polish Revolt.
His foreign policy in the Mexican Campaign was also proved ineffective. His aims were to gain prestige of France and to create new countries, which would be grateful to France. Napoleon wanted to gain prestige by having greater influence in Mexico. Taking advantage of the fact the Civil War left the United States unable to interfere in Mexico, he sent an army to establish a king there. However, he had failed. He lost the friendship of USA at the same time since he violated the Monore Dotrine to interfere in Mexico. He also lost the influence in Mexico as he was worried about the increasing power of Prussia on his eastern border and therefore agreed to withdraw his troops from Mexico. Moreover, by sending large numbers of troops to Mexico, he weakened the French troops in Europe so in the Danish-Prussian War, he had lost his advantage in fighting the war. Besides, he also exposed France to the danger of attacked by Prussia or condemning France to a passive role if Prussia or moved against a third country. Furthermore, he burdened the economy of France with the cost of an expensive and unproductive war. To conclude, his foreign policy in Mexico Campaign was undoubtedly ineffective in achieving his aims.
His foreign policy in Austro-Prussian War also proved ineffective. His aims were to maintain neutral until both Prussian and Austria were weakened and thus to take advantages through this situation. Although he favoured the Prussian side, however, he remained neutral in the hope that he would be able to intervene at a later stage when both countries were weak. Unfortunately, he was miscalculated again because Prussia won the war in seven weeks. Thus, hostility built up when Napoleon asked for Luxemburg, Belgium or part of the Rhineland as a possible reward for remaining neutral in the war, but Prussia refused his request. Thus, he lost the friendship of Prussia. Moreover, his request also aroused the suspicious of Britain and then their relationship became worse. So, once again, Napoleon’s foreign policy was ineffective in maintaining his aims.
Napoleon III’s foreign policy was turned to failure in the Spanish Succession Crisis. It also led to the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. France was isolated and he needed to fight against Prussia by himself. Italy was disliked France due to the occupation of Rome and allied with Prussia. Russia was remained neutral as Prussian supported them in the Polish Revolt. Austria also disliked France too since she was leniently treated in the Austro-Prussian War. Britain was suspicion on France. Up to this situation, France was finally defeated in 1871. All proved that his foreign policy was totally ineffective.
His foreign policy also affected the political development in France too.
Firstly, his foreign policy led to the zenith of Napoleon. His achievement in foreign policy was all successful and great up to 1860. This year, 1860, was proved the highest point of his attainment in foreign policy and led to the zenith of Napoleon.
Secondly, his foreign policy also led to the decline of the Second Empire. His repeated failure in the foreign policies made France became weak and faced the financial difficulties. Besides, he was no longer supreme due to his repeated failure in his foreign policy. As a result, the Second Empire became decline.
Besides, his foreign policy led to the establishment of Liberal Empire. Many problems were created as a result o the government’s isolation from the country and its weakness. There was increasing critism of the Second Empire such as conflicts between a policy of support for liberal cause abroad and dictatorship at home, failures in foreign policies and free trade with Britain. Opposition thus created. In order to minimize opposition and to get the support of liberals, a compromise was reached. In January 1870, the Liberal Empire was established.
From the above we can be seen, Napoleon III’s foreign policy was quite effective in the period of Crimean War. However, his foreign was became failure after the year 1860. It was not only affected the political development of France up to 1871, but also affected the development in the future.
