What Was The Main Reason Why The War Erupted In 1870

The main reason why the war erupted in 1870 was the Hohenzollern Candidature. The possibility of having a German sitting on the Spanish throne and therefore form an alliance threatened France with Bismarck knowing too well that it would be 'highly unwelcome' to France.'1 Duc de Gramont ,a career diplomat, said that this was an 'insult for France.'2 It is even argued that Bismarck exploited the crisis which caused for the unification war he wanted.3 France reaction was to prevent this candidature and asked Prussia for certainty that it would be improbable. They even went far enough to threaten Prussia with Bismarck remarking that “this certainly looks like war.”4 Although there were continuous ambiguities with this candidature would occur, the

They won and so establishing themself as a new power as the German stated got united. Bismarck said that Germany would be unified by 'blood and iron'8 and by the 'sword'9 which he managed to do so. Although there was still some reluctance coming from certain states, the war did create a 'patriotic stir'.10 Historian James Joll says the war was a 'truly national one' for the Germans.11 It involved even the states who Prussia had defeated in 1866. It can be argued that the unification was only the start as some historians argue that it was not until the First World War that Germany was a nationalistic union.12 This new country was actually what some historians call a prussified Germany as both the king and chancellor of Prussia became the main leaders of Germany.13 France remained a great power as it recovered quickly from its collapse yet the balance was disrupted with German being a new power. Nevertheless, the Germans felt 'slighted when they were not recognised for their new position'.14 However, historians such as Paul Kennedy did argue that Europe 'lost a mistress and gained a master'.15 Now, Russia slowly started to worry as

In addition, Lorraine and Alsace were never fully assimilated into Germany.33 Alsatians did talk a dialect of Germany, it kept their allegiance to France and Lorraine was 'unchangeably France'.34 This caused further tension and hatred. Furthermore, industrialisation caused many issues in social classes. There was a great increase in urbanisation and population increase.35 This started already before the war but it increased with Germany's unification. New classes emerged such ad the bourgeoisie, the proletariat, shopkeepers and artisans.36 These sudden changes had a great effect on Germany' society which caused many problems and 'were never fully removed'.37 MORE ON