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Definition: Franco-Prussian War from The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide

1870–71. The Prussian chancellor Otto von Bismarck put forward a German candidate for the vacant Spanish throne with the deliberate, and successful, intention of provoking the French emperor Napoleon III into declaring war. The Prussians defeated the French at Sedan, then besieged Paris. The Treaty of Frankfurt of May 1871 gave Alsace, Lorraine, and a large French indemnity to Prussia. The war established Prussia, at the head of a newly established German empire, as Europe's leading power.

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cartoon of Bismarck, Kaiser Wilhelm and Napoleon

Franco-Prussian War: cartoon


Franco-Prussian War

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
or Franco-German War, 1870–71, conflict between France and Prussia that signaled the rise of German military power and imperialism. It was provoked by Otto von Bismarck (the Prussian chancellor) as part of his plan to create a unified German Empire. The emergence of Prussia as the leading German power and the increasing unification of the German states were viewed with apprehension by Napoleon III after the Prussian victory in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. Bismarck , at the same time, deliberately encouraged the growing rift between Prussia and France in order to bring the states of S Germany into a national union. He made sure of Russian and Italian neutrality and counted—correctly—on British neutrality. War preparations were pushed on both sides, with remarkable inefficiency in France and with astounding thoroughness in Prussia. The immediate pretext for war presented itself when the throne of Spain was offered to a prince of the house of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, a branch of the…
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Full text Article Franco-Prussian War

From Philip's Encyclopedia
(1870-71) Conflict engineered by the Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismarck . The nominal cause was a dispute over the Spanish succession. Bismarck's aim was to use the prospect of French invasion to frighten the S German states into joining the North German Confederation dominated by Prussia. When…
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Full text Article Franco-Prussian War

From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
(1870–71) War in which a coalition of German states led by Prussia defeated France, ending French hegemony in continental Europe and creating a unified Germany. The immediate cause was the candidacy of Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen for the Spanish throne, which raised the possibility of…
| 275 words
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Full text Article Franco-Prussian War

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
or Franco-German War, 1870–71, conflict between France and Prussia that signaled the rise of German military power and imperialism. It was provoked by Otto von Bismarck (the Prussian chancellor) as part of his plan to create a unified German Empire. The emergence of Prussia as the leading German…
| 787 words
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The Franco-Prussian War lasted from 1870 until 1871 and started after the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck created the North German Federation and its became increasingly anti-French. When the Prussians tried to put a Hohenzollern on the throne of Spain, Napoleon III, worried about having to…
| 997 words
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FRANCE, PRUSSIAN INVASION OF (FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR)
Germany's dominant state in the middle 1800s was Prussia, which had risen to prominence mainly through its military. Ever since its defeat at the hands of Napoleon in 1806-1807, the Prussian military had dedicated itself to becoming the best in the world, both to return to the glory days of…
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Full text Article Franco-Prussian War: cartoon

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Franco-Prussian War: cartoon
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Full text Article Franco-Prussian War

From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
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Full text Article Franco-Prussian War, French infantry

From Bridgeman Images: DeAgostini Library
Franco-Prussian War, French infantry
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Napoleon III's surrender after defeat at Battle of Sedan, September 1870, Franco-Prussian War
Credit: Napoleon III's surrender after defeat at Battle of Sedan, September 1870, Franco-Prussian War / De Agostini Picture Library / G. Dagli Orti / The Bridgeman Art Library Description: Napoleon III's surrender after defeat at the Battle of Sedan, September 1870. Franco-Prussian War, France, 19th…
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Saint Cloud Castle, after being set on fire by Prussians, October 1870, Franco-Prussian War
Credit: Saint Cloud Castle, after being set on fire by Prussians, October 1870, Franco-Prussian War / De Agostini Picture Library / G. Dagli Orti / The Bridgeman Art Library Description: Saint Cloud Castle, after being set on fire by the Prussians, October 1870. Franco-Prussian War, France, 19th…
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