Lessons 3–4 · 2 lessons · M. Lafasov, U. Jo‘rayev, E. Xoliqov, D. Qodirova. Jahon tarixi (World history), Grade 9, revised 3rd edition. “O‘qituvchi” Publishing House, Tashkent, 2014
3
The Franco-Prussian War and its results
Textbook: pp. 16–17
GoalDescribe the causes and outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War and the defeat at Sedan.
New words
the Ems telegram, a press report on the talks between King Wilhelm I and the French ambassador, published in an edited form by Bismarck · Ems depeshasitown where the French army was surrounded on 1 September 1870 · Sedanthe Second Empire of Napoleon III (1852–1870) · Ikkinchi imperiyachancellor: head of the government in Prussia and the German Empire · kansler
Explanation
In the second half of the 1860s Napoleon III’s position weakened: France was falling behind Britain and Germany economically and had foreign-policy failures too. Prussia aimed to unite Germany under its leadership, and France could not prevent it. The pretext for war was the question of a candidate for the Spanish throne; after French demands, the Prussian chancellor Bismarck published an altered account of the talks between King Wilhelm I and the French ambassador (the Ems telegram), which France took as an insult. France declared war on Prussia in July 1870 (formally on 19 July). The French army was poorly prepared: on 1 September 1870 it was surrounded at Sedan, and on 2 September Emperor Napoleon III surrendered. This ended the Second Empire.
Worked examples
Table of motives. France: restore prestige, block German unification, calm domestic discontent. Prussia: defeat France and complete German unification.
Order of events: 1868 – revolution in Spain → July 1870 – declaration of war → 1 September – encirclement at Sedan → 2 September – Napoleon III surrenders.
Class activity
“Candidate for the throne”: two groups, “France” and “Prussia”, state their position in one minute; then the class discusses how the war could have been avoided.
Practice
1
In which year did the Franco-Prussian War begin and who declared it?
In 1870; France declared war on Prussia.
2
What happened at Sedan?
On 1 September 1870 the French army was surrounded; on 2 September Napoleon III surrendered.
3
What was the point of the Ems telegram affair?
Bismarck published an altered report of the talks, which made France feel insulted and pushed it towards war.
4
Why did Napoleon III need a “victorious war” against Prussia, and why did he fail?
He hoped war would restore his prestige and ease domestic discontent; but the French army was badly prepared and Prussia’s strength was underestimated.