Chapter 1 - Coup D'Etat
On a dark, quiet night of 26th December 1897 Napoléon V arrived in Paris. Militaristic and imperialist circles, togehter with French chief of staff - Raoul Le Mouton de Boisdeffre, prepared the ground for coup, which will change the France and world. Many gendarmerie and army posts were secretly mobilised, and waiting for the call to action. After 5:00 AM everything was over; Félix Faure, president of France was arrested with ministers and put into home arrest.
after the coup
Jules Méline, french prime minister joined the monarchists, he will become the minister of agriculture. Gendarmerie also arrested several officers, who would eventually have power to stop the coup and influence the army. Their names were put on a special list, which was prepared by Raoul Le Mouton de Boisdeffre.
The coup was now over, and ran surprisingly easly. Even if there were forces that could resist, they were too weak and afraid. The only shots that were heard that night fell at the Hotel des Arts, where General Joseph Brugere decided to defend himself to death. However, after a short exchange of fire, he surrendered.
Napoleon V
Napoléon V secured the power in his hands, but how will French society react? And even if they support him, how will the Foreign Powers react? Germany, United Kingdom, Italy and Russia might decide to send a military intervention, and France was too weak to fight on their own.
At noon, around 12:00 AM Napoléon V made a speech at Place de la Concorde. He had a difficult task; bring people closer to him and at the same time not give foreign powers, in particular Germany, a reason to intervene. During speech he was saying about Dreyfuss Affair, incompability of French government, and the poor state of industry, agriculture and military.
After the end of speech, new emperor screamed, with his all power of voice: "Viva la France". The crowd began to repeat this and other patriotic shouts, and even if there were many skepticals, they didn't have a choice, and were carried by a wave of enthusiasm.
But the Germans were furious over the last events. They called France and Napoleon "a biggest threat to Europe" and wanted an intervention. Also Italy warned France against any "ill-considered moves". But then, the British queen, Victoria, decided to change the rules of game and send a telegram to Napoleon saying: "Welcome in the European family of monarchs."
Why the queen decided to take such a radical step? Well, the naval arms race between UK and German Empire was just starting, and war clouds began to gather over Europe. Britain needed a ally on land, and France, even if now in chaos, was the only option.
So the kaiser was furious, once again. Now he called Britain a "warmongers", but he couldn't really do anything. And that was the end of year 1897; a monarchy restored in France, with Napoleon V as a head of state. Now France slowly begins a road to restore the former glory, and seek the revenge on Germany.
On a dark, quiet night of 26th December 1897 Napoléon V arrived in Paris. Militaristic and imperialist circles, togehter with French chief of staff - Raoul Le Mouton de Boisdeffre, prepared the ground for coup, which will change the France and world. Many gendarmerie and army posts were secretly mobilised, and waiting for the call to action. After 5:00 AM everything was over; Félix Faure, president of France was arrested with ministers and put into home arrest.
after the coup
Jules Méline, french prime minister joined the monarchists, he will become the minister of agriculture. Gendarmerie also arrested several officers, who would eventually have power to stop the coup and influence the army. Their names were put on a special list, which was prepared by Raoul Le Mouton de Boisdeffre.
The coup was now over, and ran surprisingly easly. Even if there were forces that could resist, they were too weak and afraid. The only shots that were heard that night fell at the Hotel des Arts, where General Joseph Brugere decided to defend himself to death. However, after a short exchange of fire, he surrendered.
Napoleon V
Napoléon V secured the power in his hands, but how will French society react? And even if they support him, how will the Foreign Powers react? Germany, United Kingdom, Italy and Russia might decide to send a military intervention, and France was too weak to fight on their own.
At noon, around 12:00 AM Napoléon V made a speech at Place de la Concorde. He had a difficult task; bring people closer to him and at the same time not give foreign powers, in particular Germany, a reason to intervene. During speech he was saying about Dreyfuss Affair, incompability of French government, and the poor state of industry, agriculture and military.
After the end of speech, new emperor screamed, with his all power of voice: "Viva la France". The crowd began to repeat this and other patriotic shouts, and even if there were many skepticals, they didn't have a choice, and were carried by a wave of enthusiasm.
But the Germans were furious over the last events. They called France and Napoleon "a biggest threat to Europe" and wanted an intervention. Also Italy warned France against any "ill-considered moves". But then, the British queen, Victoria, decided to change the rules of game and send a telegram to Napoleon saying: "Welcome in the European family of monarchs."
Why the queen decided to take such a radical step? Well, the naval arms race between UK and German Empire was just starting, and war clouds began to gather over Europe. Britain needed a ally on land, and France, even if now in chaos, was the only option.
So the kaiser was furious, once again. Now he called Britain a "warmongers", but he couldn't really do anything. And that was the end of year 1897; a monarchy restored in France, with Napoleon V as a head of state. Now France slowly begins a road to restore the former glory, and seek the revenge on Germany.
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