Franco-Prussian War
Causes
French Attitude and Luxembourg Crisis
Napoleon’s desire to "gain" something as the result of the Austro-Prussian War. Europe’s greatest nation deserved something. This attitude leads to the Luxembourg Crisis. France demanded Luxembourg as the price for staying out of the Seven Weeks’ War. Napoleon got Bismarck to demilitarize Luxembourg to the dismay of German Nationalists. Bismarck just wanted it over. Napoleon agrees to Luxembourg deal to avoid war.
"Ready to the last gaiter button." France was certain she could win a war with Prussia. They army was ready to even the small "gaiter" buttons on their pants.
France’s foreign policy had been to prevent German unification for centuries as it would spell doom for France
Spanish Succession
Spanish succession needs a new King as their last King has died without an heir. So, Spain asks Wilhelm I’s son, Leopold to become King. Spanish diplomat Salazar (in Berlin) telegraphs that Leopold is a done deal & the Spanish Parliament should be ready to close the deal in a "few days." The Prussian clerk in Madrid mistyped and said in a "few weeks." So the Parliament leaves town and when Salazar gets there, no action can be taken. So, Parliament is recalled and word gets out as to why. France gets wind of it and goes nuts
France is adamantly opposed to unification of Spanish and Prussian thrones. France cites European opposition to Louis XIV defeat when trying to unify Spanish and French thrones. New anti-Prussian Foreign minister (Gramont) in France wants to get alliance with Austria and to humiliate Prussia. Gramont now has his chance. He protests to Berlin, not Madrid. He does this to humiliate Prussia without offending German Nationalism. Prussia must back down or fight a war without German Allies. Wilhelm himself, withdraws Leopold’s nomination. War is averted.
Napoleon and Gramont make further, more extreme demands: One, Wilhelm must make a public disavowal of Leopold’s nomination. Two, Wilhelm must apologize for the candidacy and promise never to do it again. If the demands are not met, France will declare war. This is the famous Ems Dispatch. Wilhelm ignores the French demands and restates the withdrawal of the candidacy of Leopold. He assumes there now will be peace.
Bismarck is furious. France had threatened Prussia with extortion. When he got the King’s response he edited out the conciliatory language and left it at the essentials: Prussia refused the French demands and France was threatening war. When this reached the press, German animosity towards France was irresistible. France had picked a fight with all of Germany
Bismarckian manipulation
Ems dispatch—Bismarck edits the telegrams and prints them in newspapers. Paper version says that Napoleon insulted Wilhelm and that Wilhelm angrily responded. German nationalists are outraged at French arrogance. Napoleon is furious at German (Bismarck’s) treachery. He has suffered a severe diplomatic defeat. He decides to declare war as the lesser of two evils. Yet again, Bismarck has mastered a crisis.
Course of the War
French disadvantages are that Napoleon can provide little leadership as he has chronic problems with galltones. Empress Eugenie tries to cover for Napoleon but to little avail. France has few railroads and modern industry to fight a modern war. This means that France will take long to get ready or war (mobilize). French are too reliant on the Gallic Myth of French Invincibility.
Southern German States rally to Germany under treaty obligation and burst of Nationalism after France declares War.
Overmatched French—too slow to mobilize
Quick movement of Prussians—thanks to railroads and great planning. Rapid mobilization of Prussians—General Staff was incredibly prepared and was ready to go in only a few weeks
Metz—French are trapped here, due to France’s desire to get Luxembourg. Battle of Sedan—rest of French army nailed here. Napoleon III captured
France declares the Third Republic Leon Gambetta escapes from Paris in a balloon French Commune
Execution of the Archbishop of Paris Execution of Communards by Republican forces Peace treaty approved by French people
Effects
Alsace-Lorraine given to Germany (due to Germans in Alsace)
Reparations
Crown Emperor of Germany in Hall of Mirrors in Versailles
Unification of Germany
Alliance System—Bismarck seeks to isolate France to prevent revanche.
Revanchism
France diplomatically isolated for 23 years
Part of the reason for WWI