In This Article Expand or collapse the "in this article" section Franco-Prussian War, 1870–1871 (Franco-German War)

  • Introduction
  • Diplomatic Specific Issues
  • Military Specific Issues
  • Commune
  • Religion
  • Works about the Other Wars of Unification
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Military History Franco-Prussian War, 1870–1871 (Franco-German War)
by
Cathérine Pfauth
  • LAST MODIFIED: 22 November 2024
  • DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780199791279-0266

Introduction

The Franco-German War of 1870–1871 was the last of the three so-called German wars of unification, and it marked a decisive turning point in 19th-century European history. This diplomatic conflict between the up-and-coming Kingdom of Prussia and the established but politically unstable Second Empire of France under Napoleon III had a profound impact on the political landscape of Europe. Both the Prussian and the French sides had been looking for a reason for war while mobilization was already underway. The events surrounding the famous Ems Dispatch were manipulated as such as a result of complex political intrigue, nationalist currents, and skillful diplomacy, and France declared war on Prussia on 19 July 1870. Through alliances and treaties, however, this declaration of war affected not only Prussia and the North German Confederation, but also the southern German states. All German states had to mobilize their troops. Although the conflict is known as the “German-Franco War” in Germany and the “Guerre Franco-Allemande” in France, it is often erroneously referred to as the Franco-Prussian War in the English-speaking world. This designation mistakenly implies that only Prussia was in conflict with France. In reality, the Franco-German War can be considered the first war in which the German states fought together as a German army against a common adversary, even if some of these states did so involuntarily and bound by treaties. Especially after the war, the significance of the “joint German victory” was deemed extremely important as it not only provided justification for the deaths of many thousands of people but also strengthened the pan-German nationalism that had been evolving for several years. Therefore, the term “Franco-German War” is predominantly used here. The early stages of the war were marked by decisive battles and maneuvers, including the famous Battle of Sedan, after which the French military surrendered, and Napoleon III was taken prisoner by Prussia. German superiority in warfare, especially in artillery and the skillful application of modern military tactics, led to a rapid advance of German troops on French soil. The consequences of the war were far-reaching. The Franco-German War facilitated the foundation of the German Empire on 1 January 1871 and the proclamation of the German emperor on 18 January 1871, which took place in the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, which had been serving the headquarters of the Preußischer Generalstab (Prussian General Staff) since October 1870, not for reasons of humiliation but primarily for practical reasons. The final peace treaty on 10 May 1871 not only had far-reaching political consequences for France, but also influenced the balance of European powers and laid the foundations for future geopolitical developments. The Franco-German War of 1870–1871 is therefore a key moment in the history of Europe, which not only had military aspects, but also left political, social, geographical, and cultural changes in its wake.

General Overview

In academic circles, several renowned and respected overviews directly tackle the topic of the Franco-German War of 1870–1871, showcasing various approaches in Germany, France, and the English-speaking world.

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