Siege of Paris (1870–1871)

Quick Facts: Who was Siege of Paris (1870–1871)?

Subject:

Siege of Paris (1870–1871)

Known for:

The military encirclement of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War, ending in 1871.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Siege of Paris took place from 19 September 1870 to 28 January 1871 and ended in the capture of the city by forces of the various states of the North German Confederation, led by the Kingdom of Prussia. The siege was the culmination of the Franco-Prussian War, which saw the Second French Empire attempt to reassert its dominance over continental Europe by declaring war on the North German Confederation. The Prussian-dominated North German Confederation had recently emerged victorious in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, which led to the questioning of France's status as the dominant power of continental Europe. With a declaration of war by the French parliament on 16 July 1870, Imperial France soon faced a series of defeats at German hands over the following months, leading to the Battle of Sedan, which, on 2 September 1870, saw a decisive defeat of French forces and the capture of the French emperor, Napoleon III. Following the capture of Napoleon III, the Second French Empire collapsed and the Third French Republic was proclaimed under the provisional Government of National Defense.

Career & Major Achievements

Despite German forces besieging Paris from 19 September 1870, the new government continued the war, resulting in over four months of further fighting and three failed breakout attempts by the Paris garrison. After an initially ineffective artillery campaign, the Prussians deployed heavy Krupp siege artillery from 25 January 1871. Facing intensified bombardment, starvation, and disease, the Government of National Defense concluded an armistice with the North German Confederation on 28 January 1871. While the armistice led to food shipments being immediately permitted into the city, the capture of their capital city and the disaster of the war itself would have a long-lasting impact on the French populace, Franco-German relations, and Europe as a whole. French defeat in the war would directly lead to a victorious North German Confederation unifying with still-independent South German states and declaring the German Empire as well as a disgruntled and radicalized Parisian population taking control of Paris and forming the Paris Commune.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

As early as August 1870, the Prussian 3rd Army led by Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia (the future Frederick III, German Emperor), had been marching towards Paris. A French force accompanied by Napoleon III was deployed to aid the army encircled by Prussians at the Siege of Metz. This force was crushed at the Battle of Sedan, and the road to Paris was left open. Personally leading the Prussian forces, King William I of Prussia, along with his chief of staff Helmuth von Moltke, took the 3rd Army and the new Prussian Army of the Meuse under Albert, Crown Prince of Saxony, and marched on Paris virtually unopposed. In Paris, the governor and commander-in-chief of the city's defenses, General Louis Jules Trochu, assembled a force of 60,000 regular soldiers who had managed to escape from Sedan under Joseph Vinoy or who were gathered from depot troops.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1866: 1866 Milestone — The Prussian-dominated North German Confederation had recently emerged victorious in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, which led to the questioning of France's status as the dominant power of continental Europe.
2. 1870: 1870 Milestone — The Siege of Paris took place from 19 September 1870 to 28 January 1871 and ended in the capture of the city by forces of the various states of the North German Confederation, led by the Kingdom of Prussia.
3. 1871: 1871 Milestone — After an initially ineffective artillery campaign, the Prussians deployed heavy Krupp siege artillery from 25 January 1871.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Siege of Paris (1870–1871)

True or False: “The Prussian high command immediately ordered a massive bombardment of Paris to force a quick surrender.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The German high command, under the King of Prussia's direction, rejected Bismarck's suggestion for shelling due to concerns about civilian casualties and international opinion.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Adam Lindsay Gordon — Historical peer (Died in 1870) (1870): Pioneering British-Australian poet, horseman, and politician of the Victorian era.
• Adolf Loos — Historical peer (Born in 1870) (1870): Pioneering architect and theorist of modernism, known for his critique of ornamentation.
• Abraham Flexner — Historical peer (Born in 1866) (1866): Pioneering American educator known for reforming US and Canadian medical and higher education.
• Alfred Werner — Historical peer (Born in 1866) (1866): Pioneering Swiss chemist who established modern coordination chemistry.

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