French Freemasonry under the Second Republic experienced a period that ranged from euphoria over the advent of the Republic to rapid disillusionment. The implementation of many of its ideals, such as the abolition of slavery, and the large number of Freemasons in national bodies, fueled hopes of a “Masonic republic”, which were quickly extinguished by the workers' riots of June 1848. The law of July 1848 regulated club activity and increased pressure from the authorities, prompting the Grand Lodge to exercise caution.
When it drew up its first constitution, the Grand Orient de France, the main Lodge, introduced the republican motto - Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité - in Article 1. It also enshrines the existence of God and the immortality of the soul as the intangible basis of Freemasonry. This spiritualist affirmation ushered in a long debate and sometimes disputed over freedom of conscience among his Grand lodges. The Supreme Council of France, the country's second-largest Grand Lodge and occasional rival of the main Grand Lodge, remained on the sidelines. A proposal for overhauling the Masonic order emerged from its ranks.
Tempted by Bonapartism, French Freemasonry partly supported the election of Prince Louis-Napoléon. Put under tutelage after the coup d'état of December 2, 1851, it submitted to the authoritarianism of the new regime to ensure its survival.