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[[File:577px-Franz_Xaver_Winterhalter_Napoleon_III.jpg|thumbnail|left|Franz Napoleon III of France|200px]]The Franco-Prussian War 1870-71 was one of the most significant wars of the nineteenth century. It changed the balance of power in Europe and resulted in the France's relative decline of France , and confirmed the rise of a United Germany as the major power on the continent. This was to have great war had enormous implications for international relations not only in Europe but around the Globe. The Franco-Prussian War was to lay laid the foundation for the First World War.<ref>Wentzel, David (2003) ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0299174948/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0299174948&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=ad56522dfb7eaa8514ef168fb9859656 A Duel of Giants: Bismarck, Napoleon III, and the Origins of the Franco-Prussian War]'', p. 12 Background.</ref> In 1870, France was regarded as the most powerful country in mainland Europe. It was ruled by the authoritarian Emperor Napoleon III. He had actively sought to expand French influence in Europe and around the world. Napoleon III inspired by his grandfather Napoleon I, sought to make France the greatest nation in Europe. He had fought wars against the Russian Empire in the Crimea and in Italy against the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Emperor was also acquiring colonies in Asia and Africa .<ref>Wetzel, p. 6.</ref>

Germany at this time was still divided among various====Background====In 1870, often small principalities and dukedoms. Prussia France was regarded as the most powerful German state country in mainland Europe, and under the leadership of Chancellor Otto Bismarck, authoritarian Emperor Napoleon III ruled it . He had actively sought to unify Germany under its leadershipexpand French influence in Europe and around the world. Bismarck had cleverly engineered wars with Denmark and Austro-HungaryNapoleon III, inspired by his grandfather Napoleon I, which resulted in Prussian coming sought to dominate make France the Northern German Statesgreatest nation in Europe. Bismarck sought to unite He had fought wars against the Southern German states under Russian Empire in Crimea and Italy against the leadership of GermanyAustro-Hungarian Empire. However, Bismarck, knew that France would resist this, as Napoleon III, did not want a strong The Emperor was also acquiring colonies in Asia and united Germany on its bordersAfrica .<ref>Taylor, A.J.P. (1987). ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0198221010/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0198221010&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=9bcbcf09a3ab75451756dedba1242e71 The Struggle for Mastery in Europe 1848–1918]''Wetzel, p. 3456.</ref>

==Origins of Germany at this time was still divided among various, often small principalities and dukedoms. Prussia was the War==The origins of most powerful German state, and under the Franco-Prussian war were a direct consequence leadership of the rise of Prussia and Chancellor Otto Bismarck, it sought to unify Germany under its growing influence in Germanyleadership. After Prussia Bismarck had defeated Austria cleverly engineered wars with Denmark and Austro-Hungary, which resulted in 1866 at Prussian coming to dominate the Battle of Sadowa, ‘it seemed that it was only a matter of time before they brought all Northern German States. Bismarck sought to unite the Southern German states under the control leadership of BerlinGermany. However, Bismarck knew that France would resist this, as Napoleon III did not want a strong and united Germany on its borders.’<ref> WetzelTaylor, pA.J.P. (1987). ''[https://www. 123amazon.<com/gp/product/0198221010/ref>This would have been disastrous =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0198221010&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=9bcbcf09a3ab75451756dedba1242e71 The Struggle for France.<ref>TaylorMastery in Europe 1848–1918]'', p. 347345.</ref> Napoleon III ordered a rapid expansion of his armed forces in 1866 and this greatly added to tensions with Prussia.

Many in Berlin, ====Origins of the War====The origins of the Franco-Prussian capital believed that war with Napoleon III was inevitable were a direct consequence of Prussia's rise and desirable its growing influence in order to achieve German unityGermany. Many historians believe that Bismarck created a diplomatic crisis After Prussia had defeated Austria in order to engineer a war with France. A Prussian prince was one of 1866 at the candidates for the Throne Battle of Spain. HoweverSadowa, France feared encirclement by Prussia and forced the prince to renounce his claims, to the Kingdom of Spain. This ‘it seemed that it was only a national humiliation for Prussia. Bismarck, wanted a war with France and so devised a plan to provoke France into declaring war on his country, he changed a telegram sent by matter of time before they brought all the Prussian King to Napoleon III, to make it appear insulting. This became known as the Ems telegram. The French public were enraged, when Bismarck made public the telegram, and the government in Paris declared war on PrussiaGerman states under Berlin's control.’<ref> RichWetzel, Norman (1991) ''[https://wwwp.amazon123.com/gp/product/0070522545</ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0070522545&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8ba4e75fa345128994be3cf8a5e3e82a Great Power Diplomacy: 1814-1914]''>This would have been disastrous for France.<ref>Taylor, p. 156347.</ref>Napoleon III ordered a rapid expansion of his armed forces in 1866, which significantly added to tensions with Prussia.

==Franco-In Berlin, the Prussian capital believed that war with Napoleon III was inevitable and desirable to achieve German unity. Many historians believe that Bismarck created a diplomatic crisis to engineer a war with France. A Prussian War==The French army advanced into prince was one of the candidates for the Rhineland Throne of Spain. However, France feared encirclement by Prussia and captured forced the prince to renounce his claims to the German city Kingdom of SaarbuckenSpain. The army of Napoleon III This was ill-prepared a national humiliation for Prussia. Bismarck wanted a war as many of its best troops were fighting in with France and devised a plan to provoke France into declaring war on his country. He changed a telegram sent by the coloniesPrussian King to Napoleon III, such to make it appear insulting. This became known as Algeria and Vietnamthe Ems telegram. Alarmed at When Bismarck made public the telegram, the French invasionpublic was enraged, the southern German states eventually put their armies under and the command of the Prussian Armygovernment in Paris declared war on Prussia.<ref> ClarkRich, C. Norman (20061991). ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/06740319620070522545/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=06740319620070522545&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=8a8ca91208b00502f6a618d1cee8f74a Iron Kingdom8ba4e75fa345128994be3cf8a5e3e82a Great Power Diplomacy: The Rise and Downfall of Prussia, 1600–19471814-1914]'', p. 345156.</ref> Suddenly, France was faced with a united Germany, under the leadership of Prussia. The German forces, under the command of Field Marshal Helmut Von Moltke, gradually pushed the French army back into eastern France. Gradually, a large section of the French army became encircled in the city of Metz. The French public was alarmed at this and demanded the lifting of the siege. A large French army was assembled and advanced to break the German siege at Metz. The French as they advanced towards Metz were lured into a trap at Sedan by the Prussian and German forces. The French army suffered a catastrophic defeat at Sedan and this battle decided the war in Prussia's favor.

France had lost most ====Franco-Prussian War====The French army advanced into the Rhineland and captured the German city of Saarbrucken. The army of Napoleon III was ill-prepared for war as many of its army best troops were fighting in the colonies, such as Algeria and was defenseless before Vietnam. Alarmed at the French invasion, the southern German armystates eventually put their armies under the Prussian Army's command.<ref>WawroClark, GC. (20032006). ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/052161743X0674031962/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=052161743X0674031962&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=c58bdc68dd260093aaeccd66ef3dd771 The Franco-Prussian War8a8ca91208b00502f6a618d1cee8f74a Iron Kingdom: The German Conquest Rise and Downfall of France in 1870–1871Prussia, 1600–1947]''. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 167345.</ref> During the battle Napoleon III Suddenly, France was captured by Prussian forcesfaced with a united Germany under Prussia's leadership. The war continued and German forces, under the command of Field Marshal Helmut Von Moltke, gradually pushed the French refused to surrenderarmy back into eastern France. Napoleon III abdicated and he was replaced by Gradually, a government large section of National Defense, who carried on the warFrench army became encircled in the city of Metz. The Germans advanced to Paris French public was alarmed at this and besieged demanded the city, where lifting of the Prussian Kaiser was crowned the monarch of a united Germany in Versaillessiege. The Government of National Defense, after increasingly heavy A large French losses during army was assembled and advanced to break the German siege of Parisat Metz. As they advanced towards Metz, accepted the inevitable and agreed to French were lured into a Peace Treaty with trap at Sedan by the newly created Prussian and German Empireforces.<ref>WawroThe French army suffered a catastrophic defeat at Sedan, pand this battle decided the war in Prussia's favor. 345.</ref>

France had lost most of its army and was defenseless before the German army.<ref>Wawro, G. (2003). ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/052161743X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=Aftermath of the warUTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=052161743X&linkCode=as2&tag=[[File:512pxdailyh0c-BismarckundNapoleonIII.jpg|thumbnail|Napoleon III and Bismarck after Napoleon was captured at the Battle of Sedan 1870]]20&linkId=c58bdc68dd260093aaeccd66ef3dd771 The Franco-Prussian war was a resounding victory for the new War: The German EmpireConquest of France in 1870–1871]''. Germany was united under PrussiaCambridge: Cambridge University Press, after p. 167.</ref> During the battle, Napoleon III was captured by Prussian forces. The war continued, and was the largest and most populous state, apart from RussiaFrench refused to surrender. EventuallyNapoleon III abdicated, Germany withdrew from most and he was replaced by a government of FranceNational Defense, although they annexed who carried on the French provinces of Alsace-Lorrainewar. France was also expected to pay reparations The Germans advanced to Paris and besieged the new German state. Germany’s emergence as city, where the most powerful state in Europe was to change Prussian Kaiser has crowned the balance monarch of power a united Germany in Europe in the decades that followedVersailles. Germany had replaced France as The Government of National Defense, after increasingly heavy French losses during the leading nation in continental Europe andsiege of Paris, under Bismarck, established good diplomatic relations with Russia accepted the inevitable and Great Britain, agreed to secure its positiona Peace Treaty with the newly created German Empire.<ref>RichWawro, p. 167345.</ref>

France ====Aftermath of the war====[[File:512px-BismarckundNapoleonIII.jpg|thumbnail|left|Napoleon III and Germany remained enemies, even Bismarck after Napoleon was captured at the ending Battle of hostilities. French public opinion was very nationalistic and antiSedan 1870]]The Franco-Prussian and war was determined to avenge a resounding victory for the defeat in 1870-71new German Empire. The country gradually rebuilt its power by creating a vast Empire in Africa After the war, Germany was united under Prussia and Asia was the largest and this alarmed Berlinmost populous state, apart from Russia. Eventually, Germany and withdrew from most of France began to gather allies in , although they annexed the belief that one day that there would be another FrancoFrench provinces of Alsace-German warLorraine. By 1900, Europe was divided into two hostile alliances, one that was led by Germany and the other that was led by France. Europe was divided into two hostile power blocs because of also expected to pay reparations to the bitter Franco-new German rivalrystate. The 1870-71 war resulted in two mutually hostile powers Germany’s emergence as the most powerful state in Europe and this was to ultimately lead to two rival alliances on change the balance of power in Europe in the continentdecades that followed. This was perhaps Germany had replaced France as the greatest factor leading nation in the outbreak of the First World Warcontinental Europe and, under Bismarck, established good diplomatic relations with Russia and Great Britain, to secure its position.<ref>MacMillanRich, Margaret. ''[https://wwwp.amazon.com/gp/product/0812980662/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0812980662&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=98ffca4c755131019a3a31aed61c4527 The War That Ended Peace: The Road to 1914]'' (2013)167.</ref>

==Conclusion==The FrancoFrance and Germany remained enemies, even after the ending of hostilities. French public opinion was very nationalistic and anti-Prussian War decisively changed and was determined to avenge the balance of power defeat in Europe1870-71. The origins of the war lay country gradually rebuilt its power by creating a vast Empire in the process of the unification of Africa and Asia, which alarmed Berlin. Germany. Bismarck provoked a war with and France began to gather allies in order to complete the unification of Germanybelief that there would be another Franco-German war one day. The aftermath of the warBy 1900, Europe was the fall of Napoleon III divided into two hostile alliances, one led by Germany and left Germany as the most important state in other that was led by France. Europe. However, the growing was divided into two hostile power blocs because of Germany eventually led to the formation of two opposing alliancesbitter Franco-German rivalry. The Franco1870-Prussian War ‘led to a united Germany71 war resulted in two mutually hostile powers in Europe, but a more divided Europe’ and this ultimately which led to two rival alliances on the great catastrophe continent. This antagonistic rivalry was perhaps the most significant factor in the outbreak of the First World War.<ref>MacMillan, pMargaret. ''[https://www.amazon.78com/gp/product/0812980662/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0812980662&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=98ffca4c755131019a3a31aed61c4527 The War That Ended Peace: The Road to 1914]'' (2013).</ref>

==References==Conclusion====The Franco-Prussian War decisively changed the balance of power in Europe. The origins of the war lay in the process of the unification of Germany. Bismarck provoked a war with France to complete the unification of Germany. The aftermath of the war was the fall of Napoleon III and left Germany as the most important state in Europe. However, the growing power of Germany eventually led to the formation of two opposing alliances. The Franco-Prussian War ‘led to a united Germany, but a more divided Europe,’ and this ultimately led to the great catastrophe of the First World War.<ref>MacMillan, p.78.<references/ref> <div class="portal" style="'float:left; width:8535%;"'>====Related DailyHistory.org Articles====*[[Why Did American Colonists Become United Against England?]]*[[Why did the Congress of Vienna fail to stop future European wars?]]*[[Gilded Age/Progressive Era {{#dpl:category=Military History Top Ten Booklist]]*[[Why did the Italian Renaissance End?]]*[[American Revolution Top Ten Booklist]]|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=7}}

[[Category:German History]][[Category:Military History]][[Category:19th Century History]][[Category:French History]]{{Mediawiki[[Category:French History}}Franco-Prussian War]]