Franco-Prussian War, 1870 When Otto Von Bismarck Became the Chancellor of Prussia, He

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Franco-Prussian War, 1870

When Otto von Bismarck became the Chancellor of Prussia, he had a plan to unite all of the German states. Prussia started to become a new power in Europe. As Prussia’s power increased, Bismarck began the unification of the German states. As this was happening, Napoleon III (Louis-Napoleon) began to feel threatened by France's neighbors to the east.

When the King of Spain died without an heir, Otto von Bismarck began to push for a German family to assume the Spanish throne. The prospect of a two-front war was becoming more and more likely. Aware of Bismarck’s plan, Napoleon III went to King Wilhelm of Prussia to complain and asked the King to intervene. Wilhelm declined Napoleon III’s request. Later, Bismarck changed the King’s account of the meeting, making it seem more heated than it actually was. The French people were outraged by what they had heard that they encouraged Napoleon III to go to war with Prussia. So, on July 15, 1870, France declared war, but it was the Prussians who mobilized effectively. Lack of organization, strategic focus, and intelligence plagued the French throughout the war.

On January 28th 1871, Paris fell to the Prussians. A shattered Emperor Napoleon III, frequently in tears, surrendered his sword to Wilhelm, King of Prussia (later proclaimed Kaiser of German Empire a year later at Versailles). After 6 months of warfare France was completely devastated and the easy victory confirmed newly united Germany as the most powerful new nation in Europe. The Treaty of Frankfurt, signed on May 10, 1871, ended the war between France and Germany. The treaty stated that the French province of Alsace and part of Lorraine, including Metz, were to be ceded to the German Empire. France was to pay war damages of 5 billion gold francs ($1 billion), and would have to submit to occupation by German troops until the amount was paid in full. The French paid their obligation in September 1873. After an occupation of almost three years, France was at last free of German soldiers.

Germany was now united under Kaiser Wilhelm I and Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Germany had become a major power in Europe. The Franco-Prussian War would have a ripple effect well into the 20th century.

Questions:

1. What action by Bismarck angered Napoleon III?

2. What was the reason the French declared war on Prussia?

3. Why did France lose the war?

4. What were the terms of the Treaty of Frankfurt?

5. What do you think may happen in the future as a result of this conflict?