<P> The revolution in France had brought together classes of wildly different interests: the bourgeoisie desired electoral reforms (a democratic republic), socialist leaders (like Louis Blanc, Pierre Joseph Proudhon and the radical Auguste Blanqui) asked for a "right to work" and the creation of national workshops (a social welfare republic) and for France to liberate the oppressed peoples of Europe (Poles and Italians), while moderates (like the aristocrat Alphonse de Lamartine) sought a middle ground . Tensions between groups escalated, and in June 1848, a working class insurrection in Paris cost the lives of 1500 workers and eliminated once and for all the dream of a social welfare constitution . </P> <P> The constitution of the Second Republic which was ratified in September 1848 was extremely flawed and permitted no effective resolution between the President and the Assembly in case of dispute . In December 1848, a nephew of Napoléon Bonaparte, Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte, was elected as President of the Republic, and pretexting legislative gridlock, in 1851, he staged a coup d'état . Finally, in 1852 he had himself declared Emperor Napoléon III of the Second Empire . </P> <P> France was ruled by Emperor Napoleon III from 1852 to 1870 . The regime was authoritarian in nature during its early years, curbing most freedom of the press and assembly . The era saw great industrialization, urbanization (including the massive rebuilding of Paris by Baron Haussmann) and economic growth, but Napoleon III's foreign policies would be catastrophic . </P> <P> In 1852, Napoleon declared that "L'Empire, c'est la paix" (The empire is peace), but it was hardly fitting for a Bonaparte to continue the foreign policy of Louis - Philippe . Only a few months after becoming president in 1848, he sent French troops to break up a short - lived republic in Rome, remaining there until 1870 . The overseas empire expanded, and France made gains in Indo - China, West and central Africa, and the South Seas . This was helped by the opening of large central banks in Paris to finance overseas expeditions . The Suez Canal was opened by the Empress Eugénie in 1869 and was the achievement of a Frenchman . Yet still, Napoleon III's France lagged behind Britain in colonial affairs, and his determination to upstage British control of India and American influence in Mexico resulted in a fiasco . </P>

Briefly describe the many crises in 18th century france that led to the french revolution