The Second Empire refers to the period of French history from 1852 to 1870, when Napoleon III ruled as Emperor. This era followed the 1848 revolution and was marked by significant industrial growth, urban development, and modernization in France. The government focused on infrastructure projects, including the expansion of railways and the renovation of Paris under the guidance of Georges-Eugène Haussmann. The Second Empire ended with France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, leading to the establishment of the French Third Republic. The period is characterized by a mix of authoritarian rule and economic progress, as well as a distinctive architectural style that influenced many buildings in Paris and beyond.