The Franco-Prussian War
1870-1871
Background
Four southern states remained independent and not part of
the North German Confederation - Hesse-Darmstodt,
Bavaria, Wurtemberg and Baden. (See map P64
Cameron).
Bismarck knew that he could not simply annexe these
states.
He also knew, however, that a potential threat from France
would stir up German nationalism in the southern states
and that these states, deprived of Austria, would then look
to Prussia as a ‘big brother’.
Secret Alliances
Bismarck engineered secret alliances between Prussia and
the four southern states before the Treaty of Prague had
been signed at the end of the Austro-Prussian War.
These alliances stated that in the event of war the south
German states would fight with Prussia and also place their
armies under direct Prussian control.
The Spanish Candidacy
In 1868, Queen Isabella of Spain was deposed and the
Spanish parliament sought to appoint a new monarch.
Wilhelm I’s nephew – Leopold Hohenzollern was
proposed as a potential candidate by Bismarck.
Bismarck knew that France would not accept this proposal
as it would threaten French security, so he hoped to have
the proposal approved before the French found out.
The French did find out, however, and were outraged.
See your sheets for an explanation of the Ems telegram
and the outbreak of war.
Bismarck was always on the lookout for an opportunity to
expand Prussian power and influence. Initially that is
what he was attempting to do with the Spanish Candidacy.
As the crisis developed, however, it is clear that Bismarck’s
aims changed and he planned to exploit the mistakes of the
French and anti-French feeling to stir up German
nationalism. This would possibly bring the four remaining
states into Germany.
Why did the French fight alone?
Once again, Bismarck made sure that his enemy was
isolated.
The Austrians were grateful for the lenient Treaty of
Prague.
The British were hostile to the French because Bismarck
had leaked details of Napoleon’s interest in Belgium.
The Italians were happy with their territorial gains at the
end of the Franco Prussian War. They were also hostile to
the French because of the presence of a French army in
Rome, which was preventing Italian unification.
Why did the Prussians win the war?
The Southern states fought with the North German
Confederation, because of Bismarck’s secret alliances.
The German armies mobilised in 18 days and the Germans
invaded France, so the French were always fighting a
defensive war.
Once again the Prussian military proved to be decisive.
The French suffered heavy defeats at Metz and Sedan.
Napoleon’s government was overthrown and a republic
was declared.
Paris was besieged for several months until the French
surrendered in January 1871.
See your sheets for details of the proclamation of the
German Empire.
The Treaty of Frankfurt
This was far harsher than the peace treaty with Austria had
been.
France was forced to pay an indemnity of £200 million
within 4 years.
Territory was annexed, most notably Alsace and Lorraine.
The German army triumphantly marched through Paris.