second republic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Historical, Political
Quick answer
What does “second republic” mean?
A historical or political term referring to a specific period of republican government in a country, following the collapse or end of a first republic, often after a monarchy, empire, or authoritarian regime.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical or political term referring to a specific period of republican government in a country, following the collapse or end of a first republic, often after a monarchy, empire, or authoritarian regime.
Can be used metaphorically to describe any renewed attempt at establishing a particular system or ideology after an initial failure or hiatus.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Usage is dictated by the historical context of the country being discussed. An American text might focus on the French Second Republic, while a British text might equally discuss the French or another Commonwealth nation's history.
Connotations
Neutral and factual in both varieties, carrying the connotations of the specific historical period it denotes (e.g., the French Second Republic connotes the 1848 Revolution and the presidency of Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte).
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to historical and political discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “second republic” in a Sentence
The [Country] Second Republic + verb (lasted, began, ended)Second Republic of + [Country]during the + [Country] + Second RepublicVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “second republic” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Historians periodise French history, marking when the Second Republic was proclaimed.
American English
- The revolutionaries sought to second-republicanize the government after the king's fall. (Note: highly non-standard, illustrative only)
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The Second-Republic constitution was more democratic than its predecessor.
American English
- Second-Republic politics were marked by intense social conflict.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in history, political science, and constitutional law papers to denote a precise historical period.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might appear in high-quality journalism or documentaries about history.
Technical
Used as a standard periodisation term in historiography and political studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “second republic”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “second republic”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “second republic”
- Using lowercase ('second republic') when referring to the specific historical period.
- Using it without a country specifier where context is unclear (e.g., 'The Second Republic began in 1848' – which country?).
- Confusing it with 'Second Empire', which often follows a Second Republic (as in France).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when it refers to a specific historical period (e.g., the French Second Republic), it is a proper noun and should be capitalised. In a purely generic sense (rare), it might not be.
Yes. Many countries use this periodisation. France, Poland, Nigeria, the Philippines, and South Korea, among others, have historical periods officially designated as a 'Second Republic'. The dates and details are unique to each nation.
It denotes chronological order. A 'Third Republic' is the third period of republican rule, typically following the collapse of a 'Second Republic'. For example, France's Third Republic (1870-1940) followed its Second Empire, which had succeeded the Second Republic.
No. It is a specialised term used almost exclusively in historical, academic, and political discussions. The average speaker might encounter it in a documentary or a history textbook.
A historical or political term referring to a specific period of republican government in a country, following the collapse or end of a first republic, often after a monarchy, empire, or authoritarian regime.
Second republic is usually formal, academic, historical, political in register.
Second republic: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsekənd rɪˈpʌblɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsekənd rɪˈpʌblɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a film sequel: 'The First Republic' didn't last, so they made a 'Second Republic' – a new attempt at the same style of government.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATION IS A BODY / GOVERNMENT IS A STRUCTURE: 'The Second Republic was built on the ashes of the monarchy.' HISTORY IS A STORY: 'The chapter on the Second Republic was brief but turbulent.'
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'Second Republic' most accurately used?