Ems Telegram
The Ems Dispatch, sometimes called the Ems Telegram, incites France to declare the Franco-Prussian War in July 1870
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1870 in Germany — Page 4
Explore 143 historical events and records for Germany in 1870.
Historical records for Germany in 1870
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 23 of 143 unique records.
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Other events (month unknown)
Ems Telegram
The Ems Telegram is sent from the Prussian Kaiser, Wilhelm I, to his Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck
Ems Telegram
The telegram's contents outline details of a disagreement between Wilhelm and the French ambassador concerning the succession to the Spanish throne. Bismarck doctors the telegram to give the impression that each side had insulted the other
Ems Telegram
When the Ems Telegram is published (as anticipated by Bismarck) it precipitates the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71
Field Marshal
Appointed Field Marshal after the victory at Metz
Field Marshal
Appointed Field Marshal after the victory at Metz
Franco Prussian War Political Turning Point
War with France accelerated the creation of a unified German state and made national politics central to newspaper readership.
North German Confederation
The North German Confederation becomes a member of the Zollverein, the German customs union of 1834
North German Confederation
The North German Confederation establishes a common penal code
Reform of Education
Draws up legislation for the inspection of Prussian schools
Rhapsody
Composes, "Rhapsody"
Second Army
Commands the Second Army to victory
Sets up a schools inspectorate in Prussia
Sets up a schools inspectorate in Prussia
Siege of Paris
Participates in the siege of Paris
Succession
Leopold is offered the Spanish throne for a 2nd time, Bismarck recommends acceptence
Succession
Replies to Gramonts telegram saying Prussia knew nothing of Leopolds acceptence
Tenth Army
Appointed Chief of Staff of the Tenth Army Corps
Tenth Army
Appointed Chief of Staff to the Tenth Army Corps
Third Army
Leads the southern German contingents integrated into the Third Army.
Third Army Command
Commands the Third Army during the Franco-Prussian War.
Unification
Prussian victory establishes German unity
Wilhelm has Abeken telegram Gramonts terms to Bismarck
Wilhelm has Abeken telegram Gramonts terms to Bismarck who prints it
Zollverein
The North German Confederation becomes a member of the Zollverein, the German customs union of 1834
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.