Franco-German War

The Franco-German War of 1870-1871 was a conflict between France and Prussia (a German state) that resulted in a decisive Prussian victory. It was fueled by tensions over German unification and political rivalries. Prussia, under Otto von Bismarck, sought to strengthen German unity by challenging France, leading to a swift and decisive war. France was defeated, captured their emperor Napoleon III, and lost the Alsace-Lorraine region to Germany. The war led to the proclamation of the German Empire in 1871 and significantly shifted European power, marking the rise of Germany as a major nation and weakening France.