rogress of France along industrial, commercial, and
agricultural lines was, perhaps, greater than in any other similar
period in its history. In regard to the second part, it also seemed
for a time as if Napoleon's ambitions were to be realized. It was
under his reign that the French nation's interest in colonies which
had gradually disappeared or had at least been submerged by
England's immense undertakings along that line was aroused again,
and a considerable part of the present very expansive colonial
possessions of France is one of the contributions of the second
empire. Furthermore in the early part of his rule he was fairly
successful, not only in expressing the desires of France in regard
to conditions and policies of other European countries, but also in
forcing their fulfillment. It is very doubtful if, had it not been
for Napoleon III's interest and assistance, a united Italy could
have been formed. The part which he played in the unification of
Italy has already been touched upon in the latter country's history,
and we have also heard how his support of Italian ambitions for
unity brought France into conflict with Austria-Hungary. It was,
therefore, quite natural that when the French Government was
approached in 1865 by Prussia in regard to the proposed
Prusso-Italian treaty he should be found a supporter, even if an
inactive and silent one, of this new arrangement. And it was equally
natural that during the short war of 1866 between Austria and
Prussia he kept aloof from any actual interference. It might even
have been possible that France indirectly would have been found at
that time on the side of Prussia, for there can be no doubt that
Napoleon III would have liked to assist at that time Italy against
Austria. But the Mexican War, which he had started in 1862 and which
had been going against France during 1865 and 1866, prevented any
active French interference in European affairs at that moment.

Satisfactory as it was to Napoleon III and France to see Austria
forced to relinquish its Italian provinces to Italy, it was almost
as unsatisfactory, or perhaps even more so, to notice at the same
time the immense and unexpectedly rapid increase of Prussian power
and influence. Immediately after the war of 1866 Napoleon III took a
number of steps with the object of counteracting Prussia's new power
or, if possible, of destroying it. As we have already seen during
the consideration of German history of that peri