The French Empire has often been perceived as one of the most difficult empires to define as a whole (SOURCE). There is no coherent history of the French Empire, but rather the Empire could be divided into approximately three different individual empires. Three different French empires can be distinguished starting from the period of the rule of the ancién regime, known as the Kingdom of France, which lasted from 1594 to 1789. Subsequently, the empire created by Napoleon I can be distinguished as a second empire which lasted from 1804 to 1814 (and a brief restoration in 1805), which was the first to actually be called an empire, and finally the second French empire, founded by Napoleon's grandson, Napoleon III, which lasted from 1851 to 1948. This article draws a comparison between the French Empire during the ancién and regime period and the French Empire led by Napoleon I to demonstrate that both empires should be seen as so different that they cannot be considered a single empire. It will do so by examining different characteristics of empires, showing both similarities and differences in the representation of these characteristics. SOCIAL One of the most intricate social and political upheavals during the second half of the 19th century that radically changed France and the world (SOURCE) and which marks the transition from one empire to another was the French Revolution between 1789 and 1799. In this decade the French people – more precisely those who do not belong to the classes of nobility, aristocracy and bourgeoisie, but rather the working classes – increasingly became more frustrated by the rule of the monarchy of the House of Bourbon and the inequality facilitated by that……middle of paper……a direct representative of God with the divine right to exclusively rule through the power of the monarchy and not need any help. Considering himself a patron of the arts, he devoted considerable resources to the creation of numerous impressive buildings of which the Palace of Versailles is undoubtedly the most striking. More importantly, however, these projects probably served to demonstrate that he was a world apart from all his mortal subjects. (SOURCE) Above all, Louis attempted to create a common national identity for his people. His policies aimed both at a better France that its inhabitants could identify with and be proud of, and at creating their own legacy. Of the latter he hoped that his subjects would be proud of the glory of their sovereign. He wanted prestige and wanted to be perceived as the one who led the French into an era of prosperity.