The Effectiveness of Napoleon IIIs Foreign Policy Essay

The Effectiveness of Napoleon IIIs Foreign Policy In general terms, Napoleons foreign policy was much less successful than his domestic policy was. Generally speaking, the aims of his foreign policy were to present France as the champion of oppressed people throughout Europe, to create new countries, which would be grateful to France, to maintain good relation with Britain and to maintain a balance of power between Austria and Prussia. Napoleons foreign policy was shown effective in the Crimean War 1854-56. His aims were to increase French prestige, to isolate Austria, to diminish Russian influence and to maintain good relation with Britain. In the Crimean War, France was successful in†¦show more content†¦He also helped Rumania to become independent. To conclude, his foreign policy was quite effective in maintaining his aims. His foreign policy was shown ineffective in the Italian Campaign. His aim was still to increase prestige of France. In 1859, Napoleon went to the war with Austria in supporting the efforts of the Italian Kingdom of Sardinia to drive Austria out of Italy. According to Norman Rich, The situation in Italy offered him a dramatic opportunity to place himself at the head of the European nationalist movement. This shows us that he wanted to increase the prestige of France. However, he has miscalculated the situation. His armies failed to score a quick victory over the Austrians and in the Italian nationalist movement he found he has unable to control. Fearing that Prussia and other German states might come to aid of Austria and alarming that Italian unity could become harmful to France if she became too powerful, he made peace with Austria without consulting his Italian allies. He left Venetia under Austrian rule and forced Sardinia in return to give up Nice and Savoy for France. Althoug h he could get Nice and Savoy, however, he lost the friendship of Italy and Britain. Therefore, we can conclude that his foreign policy was quite ineffective. Besides, his foreign policy was shown in effective in the Polish