5. The Franco-German War.—In 1870
the Spaniards, who had deposed their queen, Isabel
II., made choice of a relation of the King of Prussia
as their king. There had long been bitter jealousy
between France and Prussia, and, though the prince
refused the offer of Spain, the French showed such
an overbearing spirit that a war broke out. The
real desire of France was to obtain the much-coveted
frontier of the Rhine, and the Emperor heated their
armies with boastful proclamations which were but
the prelude to direful defeats, at Weissenburg, Woerth,
and Forbach. At Sedan, the Emperor was forced
to surrender himself as a prisoner, and the tidings
no sooner arrived at Paris than the whole of the people
turned their wrath on him and his family. His
wife, the Empress Eugenie, had to flee, a republic
was declared, and the city prepared to stand a siege.
The Germans advanced, and put down all resistance
in other parts of France. Great part of the army
had been made prisoners, and, though there was much
bravado, there was little steadiness or courage left
among those who now took up arms. Paris, which
was blockaded, after suffering much from famine, surrendered
in February, 1871; and peace was purchased in a treaty
by which great part of Elsass and Lorraine, and the
city of Metz, were given back to Germany.
THE END.
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