Republic, Second

   The Second Republic dates from February 25, 1848, to December 2, 1851. Born of the revolution of 1848, the Second Republic was founded on a constitution (proclaimed November 1848) that upheld the right to work (Ateliers nationaux), freedom of the press and of assembly, and abolition of the death penalty and slavery. A grave economic crisis provoked popular revolutionary agitations (April 16-May 15, 1848) that in turn brought violent repression led by General cavaignac (June 23-26), who had been given power by the government's Executive Commission to suppress the rebellions. Faced with a "red peril," the conservatives regrouped and, through the parti de l'ordre, assured the election as president of the republic of Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte (napoléon III), who then took complete power through his coup d'état of December 2, 1851. A plebiscite was held (November 21-22, 1852), after which the second empire was proclaimed (December 2, 1852).