Franco-Prussian+War

=Franco-Prussian War=

The first modern war in Europe was the Franco-Prussian War. It occurred between 1870-1871 in France. The conflict was between the French and the German states that were controlled by the Prussians. Napoleon wanted to humiliate Prussia, once Prince Otto Edward Leopol, statesman of Prussia, made it clear that he was determined to eliminate Freach influence over Germany completely. All of that was the reason for the Franco-Prussian War even happening.

The official beginning of the war was on July 19th, 1870. The French only had 200,000 troops while the Germans had 400,000. On August 4th, 1870, the Germans entered the Alsace border. They then forced the French towards Châlons-en-Champagne and Marshal MacMahon after defeating them at Wissembourg. After that, a wedge was placed between those of Bazaine and the powers of MacMahon, centered on Metz. At Vionville, Bazaine lost as he tried to be with MacMahon on August 16th, 1870. He was also defeated at Gravelotte two days later, and then returned to Metz. On September 1st, when Napoleon III and MacMahon tried to save Bazaine as the Germans started their onto Paris, a major catastrophy occurred in Sedan. The emporer himself and 100,000 of his troops were imprisioned.

As soon as Paris heard what happened in Sedan, Napoleon was overthrown. Under General Trochu, Jules Favre, and Léon Gambetta, a provisional government of national defense was created. A grueling siege started when the Germans surrounded Paris on September 19th. On the Loire, Faidherbe, Freach administrator, created a gallant stand. Bourbak, French general of Greek ancestry, stood in the east, and Chanzy, French general, stood in the north. A garrison of 180,000 men alongside Bazaine's surrender on October 27th, 1870, made their resistance very useless. While Paris was very scarce on food for a few months, they held out until January 28th, 1871. On May 10th, the Treaty of Frankfort ended the Franco-Prussian War.

The Franco-Prussian War changed the lives of people in France in several ways. Napoleon III was no longer able to be France's emporer. The French Third Republic (French government) was also re-established, and the Second Napoleonic Empire was eliminated. Since Prussia defeated France in the Franco-Prussian War, France had a few consequences. They had to pay Prussia $5 billion, but the first $1 billion within three years. Enmity and hostility was created between France and Germany by the Treaty of Frankfort. The treaty embarrassed France very bad for a long period of time. Many historians believe that the Franco-Prussian war, on some level, eventually led directly to WWI and WWII.