Aftermath Flashcards
(8 cards)
Why were the people shocked after the Franco-Prussian War?
They had expected France to win the war and that the war would be a long one.
What were the things that many countries adopted from the Prussians?
Many countries adopted its system of conscription and army mobilization. One of the adopted things of Prussia by other countries is its general staff. The Prussian General Staff was extremely effective in contrast to the traditional French school as the Prussian General Staff was created to study previous Prussian operations and learn to avoid mistakes. The system allowed Moltke to control large formations spread out over significant distances. The Chief of the General Staff was independent of the minister of war and answered only to the monarch. The French General Staff, like those of every other European military, was little better than a collection of assistants for the line commanders. This disorganisation made the French commanders hard to control their forces.
Why did the Russian and British Empires not intervene in the course of the war?
The British did not help France as firstly they were long-time enemies and the British and Prussia joined forces to fight Napoleon in the Napoleonic Wars (1799–1815) and had good relations. Secondly, the British thought Prussia was too weak to fight France and so did not help the French. The Russians also did not help the French as the French had fought against them in the Crimean War (1853-1856) and Brismark had promised to help Russia regain control of the Black Sea if they did not intervene. Although Bismark had prevented the Russians and the British from joining the battle in the Franco-Prussian War against Prussia due to his diplomatic efforts, they eventually joined to fight the German Empire in the First World War (1914-1918).
Why did the Danish or the Austro-Hungarian Empire not help the French?
Both Austria-Hungary and Denmark wanted to get revenge to Prussia for defeating them in the Austro-Prussian war (14 June 1866 – 23 August 1866) and the Danish-Prussian war (1 February 1864 – 30 October 1864) but when they saw Prussia’s stunning victories against France, they decided not to intervene.
How did the Prussians win the war?
The Prussians actively used artillery at long range to destroy the French artillery as they had a longer range and supported infantry attacks at close range. Also, the Prussian army used railroads extensively to quickly mobilize soldiers. This tactic prevailed over the French tactic which was to use the Chassepot defensively in trench systems like the one used in the First World War.
Was the breech-loading artillery better than the muzzle-loaded artillery and why were cavalry charges made obsolete after the war?
The breech loading guns were proved to be better than the muzzle loading ones in this war like the breech loading rifle was proved to be more effective against the muzzle loading ones in the Austro-Prussian war. Also, cavalry charges were made obsolete in this war as they were quickly decimated by the fast-firing breech loading artillery and rifles.
What were the casualties for the Prussians?
The Prussians deployed a total of 33,101 officers and 1,113,254 men into France, of whom they lost 1,046 officers and 16,539 enlisted men killed in action. Another 671 officers and 10,050 men died of their wounds, for total battle deaths of 28,306. Disease killed 207 officers and 11,940 men, with typhoid accounting for 6,965. 4,009 were missing and presumed dead; 290 died in accidents and 29 committed suicide. Among the missing and captured were 103 officers and 10,026 men. The wounded amounted to 3,725 officers and 86,007 men.
What were the casualties for the French?
French battle deaths were 77,000, of which 41,000 were killed in action and 36,000 died of wounds. More than 45,000 died of sickness. Total deaths were 138,871, with 136,540 being suffered by the army and 2,331 by the navy. The wounded totaled 137,626; 131,000 for the Army and 6,526 for the Navy. French prisoners of war numbered 383,860. In addition, 90,192 French soldiers were interned in Switzerland and 6,300 in Belgium.
