Franco- Prussian War (pre-context)

Question 1

What year was the Franco Prussian war?

Answer 1

1870-71

Question 2

Who was the leader of France at the time?

Answer 2

Napoleon III

Question 3

Who was the leader of Prussia?

Answer 3

King William I // Minister President Bismark

Question 4

What were the catalysts of the war?

Answer 4

1. 1866 Austria- Prussia War -
2. The Spanish Succession crisis

Question 5

Brief explanation of the Spanish Succession crisis

Answer 5

1867- Queen Isabella dies

• Next in line is Leopold (who happens to be related to the Prussian royalty)
• France disagree with this as feel threatened with enemy forces so close
• King William I agreed to remove Leopold as a throne candidate and wrote a telegraph explaining this
• Bismark edited the telegraph and made it appear mocking to the French (The Ems telegraph)
• France was provoked into being the aggressor of the war

Question 6

Why did France feel confident in war?

Answer 6

• believed they had military power
• Napoleon had declining popularity and wanted to restore it
• new tech ( Chassespot rifle and miltraillevse)
• too confident/ pride

Question 7

Why did Prussia feel confident in war?

Answer 7

• opportunity to unite the South with North German Confederation
• had superiority in numbers ( had the south on their side as they believed France to be the aggressor)

Question 8

How did the battle end?

Answer 8

the Battle of Sedan August 31 1870

• Napoleon and Makon attempter to save fellow Marshal Bazaine who was forced to retreat behind the Metz defenses.
• They were faced with a heavy arttilely
• Lost 17,000 men and surrendered on September 2

Question 9

What were the consequences//outcomes of the war?

Answer 9

• Treaty of Frankfurt - May 10 1871
• Established both the German Empire and French III Republic - No more Napoleon III
• Prussian militarism remained a dominant force in German society