19th September 1870: The Siege of Paris began during the Franco-Prussian War скачать в хорошем качестве

19th September 1870: The Siege of Paris began during the Franco-Prussian War

The Franco-Prussian War began in July following the mobilisation of the French army, but by the start of September the German coalition had achieved a number of victories and captured the French emperor Napoleon III following his defeat and surrender at the Battle of Sedan. The capture of Napoleon triggered an uprising against the Second French Empire and the Third Republic, led by the provisional Government of National Defence, was soon declared. Unable to secure peace terms satisfactory to both sides, the republic opted to continue the war and began preparing Paris for siege. The German forces reached the outskirts of the French capital on 15 September. General Helmuth von Moltke, the commander of the Prussian army, gave the order to begin surrounding the city and over the next few days troops completed the encirclement. With all the German armies in position the siege officially began on 19 September. The Siege of Paris had profound consequences for the city and the course of the war. Parisians experienced hardships due to food shortages and the harsh conditions of siege life that saw Prussian artillery bombardments and severe winter conditions. The siege also had political implications. The French government, initially resistant to surrender, eventually gave in to the Prussians in January 1871. The Paris Commune subsequently emerged as a brief, radical socialist government that clashed with other political forces. This highlighted the deep divisions within French society that would shape post-war reconstruction.