France under Napoleon IV?

Suppose the Franco-Prussian war never happens, or is delayed, and the Bonaparte dynasty continues. Napoleon III dies and his son takes over. Which direction does he take France?

Side question: who would be regent if Napoleon III died early?
 
Well it depends how and when Napoleon III dies really. My TL has a Napoleon IV dying at quite an inconvenient time, so Napoleon IV's rule is quite autocratic.
 
If Napoleon IV succeeds his father while being old enough to rule by himself (as was wished by Napoleon III himself), there is the possibility he would continue his father's policies of Liberazation of the Second French Empire. That being said, I know very few things about the Second Eaglet's personnality and even if I did, he would live in a completely different context from OTL.
Shtudmuffin said:
Side question: who would be regent if Napoleon III died early?
Derek Pullem said:
Another candidate for the Regency is Empress Eugenie, Napoleon III's wife and Napoleon IV's mother. In fact, she is the most likely possibility in my eyes because it's to her that Napoleon III gave the Regency OTL while he took the (nominal) leadership of his armies against Prussia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoléon_Joseph_Charles_Paul_Bonaparte
 
Well, before I express what could happen, I should figure out how it should happen. I think that for the Bonapartes to remain in power, Napoleon III would probably convince Russia how a united Germany could threaten the security of both nations. This would probably manage to bring Russia to France's side (technically, they were enemies since the Crimean War, but at least they have a common threat) and when the war comes, Prussia would be brought to its knees. (though I am not sure the aftermath, someone give me an idea of that)

Then, when Napoleon IV comes into power, he'll carry his father's ambition for a large colonial empire. Reduced political chaos mean more energy into building up a strong economy, military, and a strong empire.

However, it would possibly mean that France and Russia might be seen as other nations (like Britain) as a threat to all of Europe. There could be a WWI but I do not know the possible alliances or aftermath (someone give me an idea of that).
 
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