Notes on the Franco-Prussian War

The Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)

Causes:
- Rise of Prussian power under Otto von Bismarck's leadership
- Tensions between France and Prussia over the question of German unification
- French Emperor Napoleon III's desire to maintain French influence in Europe

Early Events:
- Prussia and its North German Confederation defeated Austria in the Austro-Prussian War of
1866
- This solidified Prussian dominance in central Europe and threatened French influence
- Tensions came to a head in 1870 over the issue of a Prussian prince becoming King of Spain

Outbreak of War:
- In July 1870, France declared war on Prussia after a diplomatic dispute over the Spanish
succession
- This drew Prussia's southern German allies into the conflict on Prussia's side

Major Battles:
- Battle of Sedan (September 1870) - French forces under Napoleon III were decisively defeated
and surrendered
- Siege of Metz (August-October 1870) - French garrison was forced to surrender to Prussian
forces
- Battle of Orleans (November-December 1870) - Prussian forces defeated French attempts to
relieve Paris

Fall of Paris:
- After the defeat at Sedan, the French government in Paris continued the war
- Paris was besieged by Prussian forces from September 1870 to January 1871
- Lack of food and supplies eventually forced the city to surrender

End of the War:

- With the fall of Paris, the French government agreed to an armistice in January 1871
- The resulting Treaty of Frankfurt imposed harsh terms on France:
- Cession of Alsace and most of Lorraine to the new German Empire
- Payment of a large indemnity of 5 billion francs
- The war led to the unification of Germany under Prussian leadership in 1871

Consequences:
- Marked the decline of French power and the rise of German power in Europe
- Resulted in the establishment of the German Empire, with the Prussian king becoming the
German Emperor
- Sowed seeds of resentment in France that contributed to future tensions and conflicts
- Demonstrated the military might of the Prussian army and its leader, Otto von Bismarck