(KEY JUDGMENTS)
The strategy adopted by the Prussian leadership prevailed in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71 for a number reason:
• Prussian strategy was shaped by the Prussian Grand Strategy with the aim to unify all German states in one powerful state.
• Prussian leaderships set themselves achievable national objectives supported by other Germans states.
• Military forces were reorganised and modernised using experiences from the previous wars and technical innovation of this time.
• Prussian leaderships mobilised all available instruments of national power (means) to support realisation its aim (ends) Prussian diplomacy prevented other countries to participate in conflict against France.
• Prussia maintained balance among other members of German Confederation, the government and military.
• Strong characteristics of leaders at the key positions in policy and army had very important role.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS
The France-Prussia war was the result of the rise of German military power and imperialism. This conflict was part of the plan in the process of creation a unified German Empire. Prussia was leading German power. Prussian leaderships recognized France, like a country able to prevent their aim – unification of the German states. There are many different historical approaches in connection with responsibility for this conflict, including the option that Bismarck provoked French aggression. Regarding different interests, the War between France and Prussia was inevitable. France was the strongest military power in Europe, and French leaderships were against powerful German state, so its leadership expected to solve a problem with war. The Prussian victory against Denmark (1864), success in Austro-Prussian War (1866) and forming the North German Confederation in 1867 encouraged Bismarck to continue toward the defined aim. He was sure that other European countries, the first of all, Russia and Italy will stay neutral.
War began on 19 July 1870 after the French declared war on Prussia. The Northern German coalition mobilised troops very fast and rapidly defeated French troops in northeastern France. The German numerous forces were better trained and used much more effective modern technology, particularly railroads and artillery. After a few victories in eastern France, Prussian forces won in the biggest battle, the Battle of Sedan. Napoleon III had been captured on 2 September, and French Government of national Defence declared the Third Republic in Paris, two days later. War was continued another five months until German troops defeated French armies in the northern part of France. Opposite of many expectations, the war was not long and it finished on 10 May 1871, with heavy French defeat.
After the end of War, German got some parts of Lorrain and the biggest part of Alsace. This victory The German states used to proclaim German Empire. King, Wilhelm I, become the first German emperor.
ANALYSIS OF THE PRUSSIAN STRATEGY
GRAND STRATEGY – END
Prussian grand strategy was to unite all German lands in German Empire under predominant Prussian influence.
Realization of the idea started after the defeat of Napoleon. Prussia was given two-fifths of Saxony, parts of the Duchy of Warsaw, Danzig, and the Westphalia, during The Congress of Vienna held from September 1814 to June 1815. Prussian leaderships had an idea to unify all German states. The first step in this direction was creating The German Confederation with 39 states. Victory in the War against Denmark, in 1864, German Confederation used to extend territory on the north. Mutual relationships between Prussia and Austria burdened The German Confederation. Their relations culminated with the war in 1866. This conflict, famous like the “Seven Weeks War” was finished by Austrian defeat. Prussia used this win to secure a position of primacy among the German States. “The annexation of Schleswig-Holstein to Prussia, as a consequence of the war, not only aggrandized that kingdom but made an important change in the relations of the duchies so annexed”. Bismarck rejected to join Austria with other German states. However, Prussia annexed four of Austria’s allies in northern and central Germany.
The North German Confederation, the basis for German Empire, was created in 1867, with dominant Prussian role. Prussian Army and later Army of the Northern Confederation had very important place in the realization of German aim. In connection with that, there was a focus on the enhancing military capabilities.
A strategic conflict with France was the inevitable obstacle on Prussian road to the end. France was not ready to accept strong German country in Europe, so the Prussian leadership started with preparing for the War. Thanks to the good preparations The German Confederation won in this war. Nothing any more could prevent establish unify German Empire.
GRAND STRATEGY – WAYS
Within the overall grand strategic ends. Prussia defined the fallowing ways:
• Establish the North German Confederation with Prussian leading position.
• Reorganization and modernization of army able to secure military supremacy.
• Defeat France, the only country able to prevent the realization of Prussian goals.
• Develop good relationships with the other European countries to prevent their supporting to France during the War.
• Prussian leaderships hold the key position in The North German Confederation.
• Join the other German territory to existing Confederation and declaring German Empire.
GRAND STRATEGY – MEANS
Prussian leaders planned to unify, create, and to lead the very strong, sustainable German country with the significant role in Europe. Its leader mobilised all instruments of national power.
DIPLOMACY
Prussia went to war against France like the leader of The North German Confederation. Furthermore, it was very important to overcome many internal problems between members of confederation and to secure stable relation with other countries with the aim to prevent their influence and assistance to France.
German Confederation consisted of 39 states, and later The North German Confederation was the alliance of 22 German State northern of the Main River. All states pledged to provide the aid to any member who was attacked by a foreign power. However, they fell short of any economic or national unity. In the aim to solve internal problems, Prussian lieder focused on arrangement these relations. King William of Prussia imposed a constitution by decree in 1850 . Prussia established a parliament with two chambers. The First, officially named the Herrenhaus was composed of representatives of the great landed proprietors and of the large towns, and of members nominated by the king. The Second, or Lower, which Chamber was elected by all taxpayers. The King was responsible for the appointment of ministers. Later, under premier Otto von Bismarck, the political system was arranged to secure Prussian domination in Federal Council. Prussia had 17 of 43 votes, and possibility to control the situation through alliances with the other states.
Otto von Bismarck, the Chancellor and Foreign Minister of the North German Confederation tried to keep friendly relations with leaders of the biggest countries in Europe. Particularly was important to prepare conditions that Alexander III of Russia and Victor Emanuel of Italy stay neutral in Prussian conflict against France. Italy was Prussian ally during The Austro-Prussian war. The British government wanted to avoid commitments on the continent.
INFORMATION
MILITARY
One of the most important Prussian tasks was the reorganisation and modernisation of Army. During the wars for unifying Germany, its leadership had enough time to see all weaknesses. Experiences from Schleswig and Austro-Prussian wars were used in the process of reorganization and modernization of military forces.
Military services, both conscript and reserve, without substitution were the universal obligation for all Prussian and that area was arranged very well. Corps with a high degree of freedom was established all over the Prussian territory. Each corps was responsible for training and mobilisation in the time of war. The focus in infantry training was on speed, agility, and individual intelligence. The states in The North German Confederation retained their own governments, but the federal government controlled the military force.
Meanwhile, Prussia formed Military General Staff with the aim to improve command with troops on a wide area. Prussian General Staff consists of eleven officers with Helmuth von Moltke on its head. General Staff had the body whose objectives were: to conduct a continuous intelligent study, to analyze the past, to appreciate the future and to provide commanders in the field with important information and advice. General Staff was also trained and prepared for activity in war. Moltke insisted on offensive activity and he found the way to solve the problem of command on the big distance between units in the battlefield and General Staff.
Prussian Army understood on time importance of railways in military purpose. They organised lines for fast deploying troops on the battlefield. Those lines were also used for movement General Staff and supplying. Using of railways were very efficient and all lines operated independently, under local commanders.
Artillery played an important role in the strategy of Moltke. The field batteries were reequipped with new steel breech-loading field-pieces, made in German workshops. New weapons were more precisely and longer-range than French.
Finally, German mobilisation was the most rapid in Europe and in 1870 their total strength was 1.183.389 officers and soldiers. A result of serious approach was the fast German victory over French army.
ECONOMIC
German customs union (Zollverein) was established in 1834 under Prussian leadership position. This union created a free-trade area throughout much of German states. Free-trade zone received significant impetus from many develops economists in The German Confederation. Prussia abolished all internal customs dues and expressed its readiness free trade with neighboring states. Agreements between Prussia with many German states were arranged in the next period. It was very important for the development of the economy. Furthermore, these agreements strengthened relations in Confederation.
SOPHISTICATED SYNCHRONISATION OF ENDS, WAYS AND MEANS
Prussian leaderships had the clear vision and achievable strategic objectives. Despite numerous problems, they established a stable alliance of states, arranged strong internal relationships and built the powerful army able to defeat all opponents. Prussian political leaders secured stable relation with other countries with the aim to prevent negative influence during the conflict with France. Military leaders used all possibilities to shape, at that time, modern and strong army. Prussian leaders kept leading position and in German Empire, after winning against France.
LEADERSHIPS AND ROLES OF BISMARCK AND MOLTKE
Prussia had very strong leaderships who were able to recognise the importance of internal relations among members of confederation. Moreover, at the same time, they knew the main goal is impossible without strong military force.
In 1862 King Wilhelm I appointed Otto von Bismarck as Prime Minister of Prussia. Bismarck strongly decided to increase Prussian supremacy and influence among the German states. Wilhelm had a lot of confidence in Bismarck. Bismarck solved problems financing of Army and made the condition for its increasing and modernisation. Bismarck conducted progressive economic and political reforms in order to achieve his goals. On the diplomacy plan, he manipulated European rivalries to make Germany a world power. He played an important role to prevent Russian influence during the War against France. Bismarck famous “Iron Chancellor” was very strong, discipline and decisive leadership. He also proposed to advance a strong military program. Under his policy Prussia took part and won in wars against Denmark, Austria and France.
Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke was Chief of Staff of the Prussian General Staff from 1857 to 1871. Moltke was the most responsible for shaping Prussian Army that won in three brilliant Wars for German Unification (1864-71). He established enduring base for Prussian tactical, operational, and strategic thinking during that time. Moltke emphasized significant of the organisation, peacetime training, and mobilization of the army. He “regarded strategy as a practical art of adapting means to ends” . Moltke had worked out the conditions of the march and supply of an army. He understood that only one army corps could be moved along one road in the same day. In the case to put more corps on the same road meant that the rear corps could not be used at the front. This approach was used during army movement in Franco-Prussian War. Moltke particularly attached importance to General Staff in the command.
KEY OUTCOMES
• German Empire was established and became the most powerful country in Central Europe. Franc lost their power after defeated in this war.
• A victorious powerful Prussia (and The North German Confederation). Prussia demonstrated it became the great European power, and German state played a significant role in the history of the World.
• The Franco-German War of 1870–71 established Prussia as the leading state in the imperial German Reich. William I of Prussia became German emperor on January 18, 1871.
• The other German armed forces joined the Prussian army. The Bavarian army remained still autonomous during the peacetime. Bismarck was imperial chancellor and Prussian minister-president. History of Prussia merged into the German Empire