THE Franco-Prussian War took place between the French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia in 1870-71.
France was defeated and the empire fell, replaced by the Third French Republic. In addition, the French had to pay damages to Prussia and cede part of her territory.
The Kingdom of Prussia was the great victor. With this war, Prussia managed to unify the Germanic states in the process known as German Unification.
Learn about the conflict that is claimed to be one of the antecedents of World War I.
Background of the Franco-Prussian War
After the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, Europe is experiencing an intense wave of nationalism. Countries seek to exalt their historical past through Romanticism to form a common identity.
Likewise, the economic changes brought about by the Second Industrial Revolution, modify the rural and urban landscape.
In the Kingdom of Prussia, the most powerful of the Germanic states, Chancellor Otto von Bismark wanted to unify the northern and southern Germanic states. He knew he could count on the support of the southern states if the war was against France, his longtime enemy.
In this way he looked for a pretext for France to declare war on the Kingdom of Prussia.
The French artillery tries to repel the attack of the Prussian cavalry.
Reasons for the Franco-Prussian War
In addition to the tense environment between the two countries, the immediate cause of the war is related to a diplomatic incident.
Spain had been without a sovereign since 1868, and European nations were moving to choose a king that best suited them.
One of the candidates was from a German family for which he was promptly rejected by the French.
This generated animosity between the two countries, with angry speeches by the military and politicians against both peoples.
When the French Emperor demanded a written response, Bismarck altered the Prussian king's telegram to make it offensive to the French. With this, Emperor Napoleon III found the pretext to start a war against the Prussians.
Development of the Franco-Prussian War
For France, from the beginning the war was a disaster. With a small army and ancient weapons, the French could do little in the face of the powerful German arms industry.
On the other hand, Prussia had the railroads, the military industry, and its well-disciplined and trained troops in its favor.
At the Battle of Sedan, Napoleon III himself commanded the French troops, but was captured by the Prussians.
With that, in Paris, the population revolted, deposed Napoleon III and instituted the Republic.
So the new French government tried to negotiate peace with Bismarck. However, due to internal differences, the struggle continued for another year, with Paris under siege and the people suffering all the difficulties of the occupation.
know the life of Otto von Bismarck.
End of the Franco-Prussian War
The German victory was undisputed and made the German Empire the most powerful country in continental Europe. The peace was signed on 10.05.1871, in the German city of Frankfurt.
The Treaty of Frankfurt stipulated to the French:
- Indemnity payment of 500 million francs to the Prussians.
- Assignment to the German Empire of the territories of Alsace and northern Lorraine
- Occupation by German troops in certain parts of French territory while indemnity was not paid.
- Recognition of William I as German Emperor.
On the map, the region of Alsace and Lorraine that was ceded to the German Empire after the war.
Paris Commune
The Paris Commune was a popular revolt against the republican government.
With the French defeat, the Parisian people had to pay more taxes to pay compensation and rebuild the country. This generated dissatisfaction that ended in civil war.
For forty days, the popular tried to establish a government with socialist characteristics. They were severely repressed and many executed in Blood Week.
Read more about Paris Commune.
Consequences of the Franco-Prussian War
Both countries begin the rearmament of their armies starting the Arms Race.
In France nationalism and revenge against the Germans developed. The German Empire, on the other hand, tries to conquer colonies in Africa, while consolidating its power on the European continent.
read about:
- First World War
- Monarchy
- Constitutional monarchy
- Italian unification
- All About World War I
