When the revolution broke out in France, Louis Philippe left the throne in favour of his grandson. But the Republicans and the Socialists were not ready to continue the monarchy in France.
They had determined to establish the democratic government. So, Lamartine, a prominent Republican leader of France, declared the Republic in the following words:
“Royalty is abolished. Republic is proclaimed. Now the people will exercise their political rights.”
A provisional government was set up in the country which was composed of the leaders of both parties. Louis Blanc, the famous socialist leader of the time, represented the socialists. Lamartine was made the head of the government.
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It was called the Second Republic in the history of France. F. Schevill has described the influence of the Revolution on the future politics of France as follows:
“The action failed to save the Orleans dynasty. The republican masses invaded the hall, dispersed the deputies, and set up a Provisional Government.
Owing to the fact that the socialists had helped in the street fighting and were in possession of certain strategic buildings, some of their leaders, including Louis Blanc, were absorbed into the improvised ministry.
Momentarily united republicans and socialists began their rule by triumphantly announcing to the world that France was henceforth a republic. It carried the historic label of the Second Republic.”
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According to the new constitution of the Second Republic, the elections for the post of President were held in December 1848 in which Louis Napoleon, the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte was elected. It paved the way for the rise of the Bonapartists.
Soon, Louis Napoleon became powerful and the people of France gladly permitted him to become the real monarch of the country. Thus, Louis Napoleon was proclaimed the Emperor of France on December 2, 1852 and the Second Empire was established.
In this way, the Second Republic that was proclaimed after the Revolution of 1848 could not live long. The establishment of the Republic and the rise of Napoleon III (Louis napoleon) were two main effects of the Revolution of 1848 in France.