Succession
Announces "the interests & the honour of France are in peril"
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1870 in France
Explore 82 historical events and records for France in 1870.
Historical records for France in 1870
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 82 unique records.
82Unique records
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24Named events on this page
13Named people on this page
16Places on this page
July
Succession
Asks William for "assurance that he never authorize a renewal of the candidacy"
Declaration of War
France declares war on Prussia after the Ems Dispatch crisis, beginning the Franco-Prussian War.
Declaration of War
Expects a decisive victory "we shall come across the glorious tracks of our fathers". Declares war on Germany
Battle of Gravelotte
The Germans lose 20,000 to the French 12,000. Steinmetz sends the German First Army to be massacred by the French who counter-attack. Decisive German victory which the French could have avoided
First Army
Steinmetz sends the German First Army to be massacred by the French who counter-attack
Mobilization
France mobilizes its forces but the frontier fortresses are not ready for a siege
Siege of Metz
France mobilizes its forces but the frontier fortresses are not ready for a siege
August
Battle of Saarbrucken
Napoleon divides his armies between MacMahon & Bazaine. A skirmish between 1st German army & French II corps
Battle of Weissenburg
The outnumbered French are forced to defend the Lauter
Battle of Weissenburg
The crown Prince surprises MacMahon on the Lauter River
Resignation of Antoine Alfred Agenor de
After the defeat of Weissenburg Gramont resigns his office
Battle of Froschwiller
The Vosges barrier is broken opening the road to Paris. The Crown Prince of Prussia forces MacMahon back to Chalons-sur-Marne
Battle of Froschwiller
The Prussian Crown Prince marches toward the Meuse
Battle of Spichern
The German 1st & 2nd armies move into Lorraine where Bazaines forces are dispersed. Frossards II corps is outflanked on the Spichern heights
Battle of Worth
At Worth the German 3rd Army loses 10,500 killed to the French 11,000 under MacMahon
Battle of Worth
Is defeated by Frederick's Third Army.
Third Army
At Worth the German 3rd Army loses 10,500 killed to the French 11,000 under MacMahon
Commander of French Army
Appointed Commander of the French Army, takes over command from Napoleon III
Commander of French Army
Appointed Commander of the French Army, takes over command from Napoleon III
Dismissal
Forced to relinquish command
Mobilization
MacMahon regroups his forces at Chalons
Supreme Commander
Appointed Supreme Commander
Supreme Commander
Appointed Supreme Commander
Battle of Borny
The Prussian 1st army forces Bazaine to retreat across the Moselle. Bazaine hopes to join up with MacMahon but the German Second Army cuts him off
Second Army
Bazaine hopes to join up with MacMahon but the German Second Army cuts him off
Battle of Metz
Crosses the River Meuse but is driven back toward Sedan
Battle of Metz
Wounded in battle
Battle of Metz
Encircled at Metz
September
Battle of Sedan
Defeated by the Germans
Battle of Sedan
Wimpfen surrenders to the Germans who then take Paris. The French who lose 17,000 & 104,000 taken prisoner. The French lose 17,000 plus 104,000 taken prisoner. Forced to surrender to the Germans who move on to take Paris
Battle of Sedan
Forced to surrender
Battle of Sedan
Surrenders to Bismarck at Donchery, later held at Wihelmshohe near Cassel
Battle of Sedan
Joins the Army but is capture in battle & held as a prisoner near Kassel in Germany
Battle of Sedan
Defeat at the Battle of Sedan is followed by the establishment of the third Republic
Commander of Paris
Appointed Commander of Paris
Commander of Paris
Appointed Commander of Paris
Constitution of France
Heads the new Provisional Government
Coup
After a popular uprising in Paris the Empire is toppled
Exile of Eugenie
Flees the Tuileries, fearful of the Paris mob after the French defeat at Sedan
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.