Synopsis of the Franco-Purssian War
Synopsis of the Franco-Purssian War
The Franco-Prussian War, was a war in 1870-1871, which the French lost to the German states while they were under the leadership of Prussia. The underlying causes of the conflict were the Prussian statesman Prince Otto Edward Leopold von Bismarck’s desire to unify Germany under Prussian control and, to eliminate French influence over Germany. On the other hand, Napoleon III, emperor of France from 1852 to 1870, wanted to regain the prestige he had lost, both at home and abroad, as a result of numerous failures, particularly recently as a result of France’s failure in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. In addition, Prussia’s military strength, as shown in the war with Austria, was shown to be a threat to the French on the continent of Europe.
French and the German relations have had a history full of tensions between the two countries. A comparison between the two countries shows a difference in how they view their national identity and their military. Their influence upon one another during the approximate century and a half of conflict shows how their national identities have helped to make their nations. This conflict between the two nations may even be said to have an impact not only on the European continent but also possibly on much of the world. In fact, the result of their conflicts may have set the stage for further conflicts, such as the two world wars.
After the Prussian’s won the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, France’s Napoleon III viewed Prussia as a threat to France. Otto van Bismarck, the chancellor of Prussia, wanted to see Prussian and France in conflict because he wanted to unify all of Germany. He had a plan to create a nationalistic German empire.
The relations between Prussia and France became worse. Napoleon III wanted to get more territory, which he felt entitled to have as a result of his neutrality during the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. Both Prussia and France were armed and had military budgets, which provided for strong armies. France wanted to go to war because there was a possibility of having a unified enemy and thus making some of the internal political tensions better. Bismarck wanted to go to war because of his idea of completing the German unification.
The British, who saw this military build up from a different continent, thought the military situation...