Government
Gambetta leads the new provisional Government
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1870 in France — Page 2
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
2 of 3Page
26Named events on this page
11Named people on this page
5Places on this page
September
Head of State
Appointed Head of the Provisional Government. Appointed Head of State for France
President of France
Appointed President of the Government of National Defence
President of France
Appointed President of the Government of National Defence
Provisional Government
Heads the new Provisional Government
Provisional Government
Appointed Head of the Provisional Government
Provisional Government
Gambetta leads the new provisional Government
Siege of Paris
Requests honourable peace from Bismarck who demands Alsace, Metz, Strasburg & a port
Siege of Paris
Organizes the "francs-tireurs", French resistance fighters
Capture of Paris
Surrenders to the Germans at Sedan who then capture Paris
Rebellion of Rebels in Paris
Escapes in a balloon and organizes "the war of the people" with armed civilians
Rebellion of Rebels in Paris
Escapes in a balloon and organizes "the war of the people" with armed civilians
Rebellion of Rebels in Paris
Escapes in a balloon and organizes "the war of the people" with armed civilians
October
Result of Surrender of Bazaine's Army at Metz
The loss of Bazaine's army at Metz removes a huge French force and further weakens hopes of restoring Napoleon III.
Siege of Metz
The fortress of Metz capitulates. Surrenders 180,000 men denying hope of a Napoleonic restoration
Siege of Paris
After victory at Metz the German forces move on Paris
Surrender of Bazaine's Army at Metz
Surrenders 180,000 men denying hope of a Napoleonic restoration
November
Battle of Beaunne-La-Rolande
9,000 Prussians successfully defend against 60,000 French during the Franco-Prussian War
Other events (month unknown)
Alliance France with Austria
Supports an alliance of France with Austria
Battle of Hallue River
The Prussian 1st army forces the French back. Attempts to join up the Northern army with Ducrot, break out of Paris & take Amiens
Battle of Mars-la-Tour
Attempts to regroup at the Marne but his supply line is cut off at Mars-la-Tour
Commander of III Army Corps
Appointed Commander of III Army Corps
Constitution of France
Wins a plebiscite approving Constitutional Monarchy
Constitution of France
A plebiscite approves a constitutional monarchy
Constitution of France
Wins a plebiscite approving Constitutional Monarchy
Diplomatic Negotiations
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
Ems Telegram
Sends Benedetti at Ems the fatal telegram demanding the King of Prussia's guarantee that the candidature would not be revived
Foreign Secretary of France
Appointed Foreign Minister
General
Appointed Commander r of the French forces after an injury to MacMahon
General
Appointed Commander r of the French forces after an injury to MacMahon
Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen Candidacy
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.
Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen Candidacy
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.
Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen Candidacy
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."
Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen Candidacy
The meeting was informal and took place on the promenade of the Kursaal with the king's entourage at a discreet distance.
Marshal
Appointed Marshal of France
Mayor
Appointed Mayor of Montmartre
Minister of Justice
Appointed Minister of Justice
Minister of War
Appointed Minister of War
Referendum
A plebiscite approves a constitutional monarchy
Referendum
Wins a plebiscite approving Constitutional Monarchy
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.