6 July 1870SuccessionAntoine Alfred Agenor de Gramont, 10th
Announces "the interests & the honour of France are in peril"
Historical records for France in 1870, rendered directly from the World History Database and ordered by month, day and event.
Announces "the interests & the honour of France are in peril"
Asks William for "assurance that he never authorize a renewal of the candidacy"
France declares war on Prussia after the Ems Dispatch crisis, beginning the Franco-Prussian War.
Expects a decisive victory "we shall come across the glorious tracks of our fathers". Declares war on Germany
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
Steinmetz sends the German First Army to be massacred by the French who counter-attack
France mobilizes its forces but the frontier fortresses are not ready for a siege
France mobilizes its forces but the frontier fortresses are not ready for a siege
Napoleon divides his armies between MacMahon & Bazaine. A skirmish between 1st German army & French II corps
The outnumbered French are forced to defend the Lauter
The crown Prince surprises MacMahon on the Lauter River
After the defeat of Weissenburg Gramont resigns his office
The Vosges barrier is broken opening the road to Paris. The Crown Prince of Prussia forces MacMahon back to Chalons-sur-Marne
The Prussian Crown Prince marches toward the Meuse
The German 1st & 2nd armies move into Lorraine where Bazaines forces are dispersed. Frossards II corps is outflanked on the Spichern heights
At Worth the German 3rd Army loses 10,500 killed to the French 11,000 under MacMahon
Is defeated by Frederick's Third Army.
At Worth the German 3rd Army loses 10,500 killed to the French 11,000 under MacMahon
Appointed Commander of the French Army, takes over command from Napoleon III
Appointed Commander of the French Army, takes over command from Napoleon III
Forced to relinquish command
MacMahon regroups his forces at Chalons
Appointed Supreme Commander
Appointed Supreme Commander
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
Bazaine hopes to join up with MacMahon but the German Second Army cuts him off
Crosses the River Meuse but is driven back toward Sedan
Wounded in battle
Encircled at Metz
Defeated by the Germans
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
Forced to surrender
Surrenders to Bismarck at Donchery, later held at Wihelmshohe near Cassel
Joins the Army but is capture in battle & held as a prisoner near Kassel in Germany
Defeat at the Battle of Sedan is followed by the establishment of the third Republic
Appointed Commander of Paris
Appointed Commander of Paris
Heads the new Provisional Government
After a popular uprising in Paris the Empire is toppled
Flees the Tuileries, fearful of the Paris mob after the French defeat at Sedan
Gambetta leads the new provisional Government
Appointed Head of the Provisional Government. Appointed Head of State for France
Appointed President of the Government of National Defence
Appointed President of the Government of National Defence
Heads the new Provisional Government
Appointed Head of the Provisional Government
Gambetta leads the new provisional Government
Requests honourable peace from Bismarck who demands Alsace, Metz, Strasburg & a port
Organizes the "francs-tireurs", French resistance fighters
Surrenders to the Germans at Sedan who then capture Paris
Escapes in a balloon and organizes "the war of the people" with armed civilians
Escapes in a balloon and organizes "the war of the people" with armed civilians
Escapes in a balloon and organizes "the war of the people" with armed civilians
The loss of Bazaine's army at Metz removes a huge French force and further weakens hopes of restoring Napoleon III.
The fortress of Metz capitulates. Surrenders 180,000 men denying hope of a Napoleonic restoration
After victory at Metz the German forces move on Paris
Surrenders 180,000 men denying hope of a Napoleonic restoration
9,000 Prussians successfully defend against 60,000 French during the Franco-Prussian War
Supports an alliance of France with Austria
The Prussian 1st army forces the French back. Attempts to join up the Northern army with Ducrot, break out of Paris & take Amiens
Attempts to regroup at the Marne but his supply line is cut off at Mars-la-Tour
Appointed Commander of III Army Corps
Wins a plebiscite approving Constitutional Monarchy
A plebiscite approves a constitutional monarchy
Wins a plebiscite approving Constitutional Monarchy
responsible for the bungling of the negotiations between France and Prussia arising out of the candidature of Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen for the throne of Spain, which led to the disastrous war of 1870-71
Sends Benedetti at Ems the fatal telegram demanding the King of Prussia's guarantee that the candidature would not be revived
Appointed Foreign Minister
Appointed Commander r of the French forces after an injury to MacMahon
Appointed Commander r of the French forces after an injury to MacMahon
Benedetti had been instructed by his superior, Foreign Minister Agenor, the Duc de Gramont, to present the French demand that the king should guarantee that he would never again permit the candidacy of a Hohenzollern prince to the Spanish throne.
King Wilhelm I of Prussia, on his morning stroll in the Kurpark in Ems, was stopped by Count Vincent Benedetti, the French ambassador to Prussia since 1864.
Politely, and in a friendly manner, the king refused to bind himself to any course of action into the indefinite future. After their exchange, "the two departed coolly."
The meeting was informal and took place on the promenade of the Kursaal with the king's entourage at a discreet distance.
Appointed Marshal of France
Appointed Mayor of Montmartre
Appointed Minister of Justice
Appointed Minister of War
A plebiscite approves a constitutional monarchy
Wins a plebiscite approving Constitutional Monarchy
Wilhelm admits Prussia was behind Leopolds acceptance of the Spanish throne. Refuses to allow foreign powers to install a prince on the throne of Charles V
Telegrams Berlin demanding details of the Prussian "Hohenzollern intrigue"
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