The Franco-Prussian War

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 French Third Republic. In addition, the French had to pay reparations to Prussia and cede part of their 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 more about the conflict that is touted as 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.

In the same way, the economic changes provoked 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 Bismarck wanted to unify the North and South 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.

French artillery tries to repel the Prussian cavalry attack.

Motives of the Franco-Prussian War

In addition to the tense atmosphere 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 heated speeches by the military and politicians against both peoples.

When the French Emperor demanded a written response, Bismarck altered the Prussian king's telegram in order 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 proved to be a disaster. With a reduced army and old weapons, the French could do little in the face of the powerful German arms industry.

On the other hand, Prussia had in its favor the railways, the war industry and its well-disciplined and trained troops.

At the Battle of Sedan, Napoleon III himself commanded French troops, but was captured by the Prussians.

With that, in Paris, the population revolted, deposed Napoleon III and established the Republic.

So the new French government tried to negotiate peace with Bismarck. However, due to internal differences, the fighting continued for another year, with Paris under siege and the people suffering all the difficulties of the occupation.

Discover the life of Otto von Bismarck.

End of the Franco-Prussian War

The German victory was indisputable and made the German Empire the most powerful country in continental Europe. Peace was signed on 10.05.1871, in the German city of Frankfurt.

The Treaty of Frankfurt stipulated to the French:

Payment of indemnity of 500 million francs to the Prussians.
Concession to the German Empire of the territories of Alsace and northern Lorraine
Occupation by German troops in certain parts of French territory until indemnity was 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 uprising against the republican government.

With the French defeat, the Parisian people had to pay more taxes to pay reparations and the reconstruction of the country. This generated dissatisfaction that ended in civil war.

For forty days, the people tried to establish a government with socialist characteristics. They were harshly repressed and many executed during Bloody Week.

Consequences of the Franco-Prussian War

Both countries begin the rearmament of their armies starting the Arms Race.

In France nationalism and revanchism against the Germans develop. The German Empire, on the other hand, tries to conquer colonies in Africa, while consolidating its power on the European continent.