Have you ever wondered how Germany became a military and economic powerhouse that placed its bid for world domination in the 20th century? If you want an answer to this question, have a look at our guide about the Franco-Prussian War! This book will transport you to the late 19th century, allowing you to "witness" one of the seminal moments of modern history. You'll learn what events preceded the confrontation between the waning old European power of France and the up-and-coming Prussian state and how a war led to the unification of Germany into an empire. Through this guide, you'll find out how significant the famous "Iron Chancellor" Otto von Bismarck was in preparing the ground for a conflict and how his political genius allowed Prussia to spearhead the German union. It will also showcase all the strengths and weaknesses of the military reforms that came out of the brilliant mind of Helmuth von Moltke, a general who almost singlehandedly created the myth of German martial superiority. On the other hand, this book will also expose all the faults in French military thought and the blunders committed by their leaders. Through their mistakes, you'll learn how indecisiveness and stubborn traditionalism can lead to disaster, at least on the battlefield. You'll learn how their defeats on the front lines led to one of the most humiliating and harshest peace treaties in recent history, setting the stage for later major conflicts. Finally, you'll read about how a war that was planned and orchestrated by a few leaders on both sides led to avoidable death and destruction, ushering in the ideas of "total war." You'll understand how civilian casualties became acceptable while military deaths were idealized as heroic sacrifices to the homeland. Through thrilling stories of military feats and fiascos, you'll learn about the futility of war, hopefully realizing that violence rarely leads to a finite solution. In this captivating guide to the Franco-Prussian War, you'll learn about: When did Franco-German animosity begin? What led to the eruption of war in 1870? Why was the Prussian military superior on the front lines? What were the biggest flaws of the French generals? Where did the largest French defeat of the 19th century take place? Why did the war only last six months? How did the German Empire unify through conflict? Which were the most devastating terms of the 1871 peace treaty? How important was the role of Otto von Bismarck throughout the war? What were the con