In 1870 the Otto von Bismarck ordered the Prussian Army into France. The French Army was driven out of Alsace and Helmuth von Moltke won a comprehensive victory at Sedan. In September 1870 the Prussian forces headed for Paris. A French counter-attack failed and Paris was taken in January 1871.

The French government signed the Treaty of Frankfurt in May 1871. This resulted in France losing Alsace and Lorraine, Strasburg and the great fortress of Metz to Germany.

John Tenniel, Franco-Prussian War
(Punch Magazine, 1870)

The Franco-Prussian War is available from Amazon

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