980 Chapter 7
Narrative: This dispute describes the Franco-Prussian War fought between July
1870 and February 1871. Prussia had been taking active means to unify the German
states, and their efforts had resulted in war elsewhere, especially with Denmark over
Schleswig-Holstein and later Austria over the same territory. This caused suspicions
in France, which tried to keep a favorable balance of power with respect to central
Europe.
Various incidents brought the two to war. France neutralized Luxembourg (admin-
istered by the Dutch), effecting the withdrawal of Prussian troops from the territory.
Prussia had attempted to maximize leverage over the south German states, which were
firmly anti-French. Meanwhile, Isabella had been deposed from the Spanish throne in
1868, and Spain, wanting to maintain its monarchy, offered the position to a Prussian
prince from the House of Hohenzollern. France forced Spain to withdraw the offer,
which infuriated Otto von Bismarck. The Ems Dispatch was released by the Prussians
on July 13, 1870, detailing (and exaggerating) a demand made by French diplomat
Count Benedetti to Bismarck to never again support a Prussian for the throne in Spain.
This ultimately made the French declare war on the Prussians on July 19, and Baden,
Bavaria, and Wuerttemberg took arms with the Prussians.
The war was a major victory for the Prussians. The allied forces greatly outnum-
bered and overwhelmed the French forces in battle. Napoleon III commanded the
French forces that were routed at Sedan on August 31. Napoleon III surrendered on
September 2 and was taken as prisoner of war, ending the Second French Empire
and beginning the Third French Republic. However, negotiations between the new
republic and the Prussians produced no agreement, and the French continued fighting.
Continued embarrassments for the French led to a surrender on January 28, 1871.
The embarrassments continued for France. The Prussians had a victory parade in
Paris and the Prussian king was proclaimed the German emperor in Versailles. Two
treaties end this war. The Treaty of Versailles, signed on February 26, 1871, ceded
Alsace and Lorraine to Prussia and relented to an indemnity of five million francs.
The Treaty of Frankfurt replaced the Versailles agreement on May 10 and ultimately
concluded the war.
Coding changes: End Date changed from February 25, 1871.
MID#2168
Dispute Number: 2168
Date(s): May 7, 1871 to May 10, 1871
Participants: 255 Germany/220 France
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (None)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: This dispute occurred in the wake of the Franco-Prussian War, and in
the midst of the negotiations between Bismarck of Germany and France’s minister
of foreign affairs. Bismarck had been ordered by the German government to deliver
an ultimatum to France in order to encourage voluntary participation in German
demands. Bismarck delivered this ultimatum on May 7, 1871, proclaiming that if the
peace negotiations failed, Germany would “feel free to act as its interests dictated.”
The French minister of foreign affairs signed the Treaty of Frankfort three days later.