HIST2128
Germany, 1871-1933: From Empire to Republic
The Franco-German War of 1870-71
Lecture 4
2 February 2012
War with Austria
= German Civil War’ – ‘German War’ – ‘Seven
Weeks’ War’ – Brothers’ War (Deutscher
Krieg)
Reason: Continued struggle between Prussia and
Austria for dominance in German Confederation
• Austria: 400,000 troops + support of most of
‘Third Germany’ ≠ Prussia 300,000 troops
• Italy’s entry into war: Two-front-war for Austria
but Italy quickly defeated
Treaty of Prague (1)
(Prussia-Austria, Aug 1866)
• Prussia’s annexation of S-H, Hesse-Cassel,
Hanover, Nassau, Frankfurt
• North German states to join North German
Confederation under Prussian leadership
• Independence of South German states guaranteed
due to French intervention + Bismarck’s fear of
too quick absorption but signing of secret
military alliance between South Germany +
Prussia in case of French attack
Treaty of Prague (2)
(Prussia-Austria, Aug 1866)
• Usually seen as milestone on way to German
unity
• Destroyed unity of German Confederation +
secured Prussia’s dominance in Germany
• Separated Germans into 3 units: North German
Confederation, 4 South German states, Austria
= Prussia enlarged by 1/5 with coherent territory
= German nation state now only blocked by France
Napoleon's strategy 1867-70
• Re-strengthen ‘Bonapartism’ by successful foreign
politics
• To set-up a coalition of France + Austria + Italy
≠ Prussia (+ Russia)
But: Austria’s readiness for war only when Russia
sided Prussia
Italy’s excessive territorial demands incl. Papal
State at Rome under French military protection
= No formal coalition: Unsuccessful French plans
Hohenzollern Candidature Crisis (1)
Spanish revolution of 1868:
• Driving out Spanish Queen Isabella
• Moderate Spanish right’s search for new
monarch to safeguard monarchy
→ Offer of Spanish crown to Prince Leopold
of Hohenzollern = Catholic side-branch
of royal Prussian House of Hohenzollern
Hohenzollern Candidature Crisis (2)
• Bismarck’s secret encouragement of
Hohenzollern candidature
• Strong French critic after official publication of
candidature + desire for triumph, for
intimidation, humiliation of Prussia + creating
war-like mood
• Spanish renunciation of Leopold’s candidature
after strong French pressure: Such voluntary
step of Leopold not enough to satisfy French
negative ambitions towards Prussia
Hohenzollern Candidature Crisis (3)
• France’s demand of official renunciation from
King William I on behalf of Leopold for all time
= Overemphasising crisis + Napoleon’s
overplaying his hand
• France’s demand refused by King William but his
conciliatory reply to French ambassador
Benedetti at Bad Ems
• ‘Ems telegram’ amended by Bismarck to provoke
war with France → King’s action seemingly
more abrupt + dismissive than in reality
Hohenzollern Candidature Crisis (3)
Napoleon’s situation:
• Option 1: To suffer major diplomatic defeat
against Prussia → probably end of
Napoleon’s government
• Option 2: To escape into war → probably
good chance to defeat Prussia:
Declaration of war, 19 Jul 1870
Warfare (1)
• Strong anti-French feelings in all-Germany:
‘National uprising’ in North and South
• Neutral stance of Russia + Austria + Britain
• Quick mobilisation of Prussian + other German
states armies + well-trained troops under
Prussian General von Moltke
• France’s war declaration with no prior preparation
or military action → Slow mobilisation of French
army → early battles defeats
Warfare (2)
3 major series of operations:
• Battles leading to trapping of French army under
Bazaine in Metz (- October 1870)
• Surrender of Napoleon III at Sedan (2 Sep 1870)
• Investment of Paris (- 28 Jan 1871)
War Results
Founding of German Empire at Versailles, 18 Jan 1871
Treaty of Frankfurt, May 1871:
• Annexation of French provinces Alsace + (East-)
Lorraine by Germany
• Heavy French war indemnity
= New border line for military strategic reasons
= Strong German public pressure on Bismarck to
annex French territory as punishment
► Long-lasting French revenge feeling