7. War, Siege, the Commune (1870-1871)
As German military power increases after its victory in the Austro-Prussian war, Napoleon III becomes anxious and prepares involvement in a possible resistance war. The offer of the throne of Spain to the prince of a ruling house in Prussia in 1870 leads to strong protests in France; Prussia rejects the offer in July. However, when France demands Prussian reassurance, they refuse, angering the French. Napoleon III declares war on Prussia on July 19th.
The Franco-Prussian war is a disaster for the French. After easily winning battles at Wissembourg, Vionville, and Gravelotte, the Germans head for Paris. On September 1st, 100,000 French soldiers are captured at Sedan, including Napoleon III. The Germans surround Paris on September 19, 1870. Elsewhere, on October 27, 180,000 French men surrender to German troops, thereby marking a drastic turning point in the war. The Parisians continue to resist German occupation until famine forces them to surrender on January 28, 1871.
On March 1st, 1871, the newly elected French National Assembly, under the direction of Adolphe Thiers, accepts a peace agreement with Prussia, agreeing to pay $1 billion within a three year time frame. In addition, Alsace and a large part of Lorraine are given up to Germany. The city of Paris, however, refuses submission to Thiers, and elects a municipal council known as the Commune of Paris. The Commune believes that the Thiers government is too conservative, and hopes to acquire eventual economic reform.
In response to the Commune's resistance, troops supportive of the Thiers regime coordinate the Second Siege of Paris in April and May of 1871. On April 11, Thiers' troops enter Paris in an attempt to regain control, resulting in five weeks of violent fighting. During the Parisian siege, hostages are shot-including the archbishop of Paris- and the Tuileries Palace, City Hall, and the Palace of Justice are burned. On May 28, the Commune is defeated, leaving 18,000 Parisians dead and 7,000 deported.