The Siege that Changed the World: Paris, 1870-1871
A fascinating account of the dramatic events leading up to the Siege and the four month siege itself.

The Siege of Paris from September 1870 to the city’s capitulation in January 1871 was the result of Louis Napoleon III, Emperor of France’s disastrous decision to declare war on Prussia. The Prussian Army of King William I proved vastly superior to their adversaries.

After victories at Metz and Sedan, the Prussians marched on Paris virtually unopposed. By 19 September the city was encircled with the population discontented, disillusioned and rebellious. Civil disorder was rife as starvation took a grip. On the inevitable surrender in late January and the declaration of the German Empire, France’s humiliation was complete. This in turn led to the temporary establishment of the Paris Commune an embryonic communist government, and civil war.

As well as providing a vivid description of the siege and fighting, the author of this well researched account analyses the long-term effects be they social, military and political both on France and wider Europe. He argues that while the siege was not particularly costly in terms of human life, its legacy was the reduction of French global influence, the growth of German militarism, the evolution of international communism and changes in the world order.
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The Siege that Changed the World: Paris, 1870-1871
A fascinating account of the dramatic events leading up to the Siege and the four month siege itself.

The Siege of Paris from September 1870 to the city’s capitulation in January 1871 was the result of Louis Napoleon III, Emperor of France’s disastrous decision to declare war on Prussia. The Prussian Army of King William I proved vastly superior to their adversaries.

After victories at Metz and Sedan, the Prussians marched on Paris virtually unopposed. By 19 September the city was encircled with the population discontented, disillusioned and rebellious. Civil disorder was rife as starvation took a grip. On the inevitable surrender in late January and the declaration of the German Empire, France’s humiliation was complete. This in turn led to the temporary establishment of the Paris Commune an embryonic communist government, and civil war.

As well as providing a vivid description of the siege and fighting, the author of this well researched account analyses the long-term effects be they social, military and political both on France and wider Europe. He argues that while the siege was not particularly costly in terms of human life, its legacy was the reduction of French global influence, the growth of German militarism, the evolution of international communism and changes in the world order.
42.95 In Stock
The Siege that Changed the World: Paris, 1870-1871

The Siege that Changed the World: Paris, 1870-1871

by N S Nash
The Siege that Changed the World: Paris, 1870-1871

The Siege that Changed the World: Paris, 1870-1871

by N S Nash

Hardcover

$42.95 
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Overview

A fascinating account of the dramatic events leading up to the Siege and the four month siege itself.

The Siege of Paris from September 1870 to the city’s capitulation in January 1871 was the result of Louis Napoleon III, Emperor of France’s disastrous decision to declare war on Prussia. The Prussian Army of King William I proved vastly superior to their adversaries.

After victories at Metz and Sedan, the Prussians marched on Paris virtually unopposed. By 19 September the city was encircled with the population discontented, disillusioned and rebellious. Civil disorder was rife as starvation took a grip. On the inevitable surrender in late January and the declaration of the German Empire, France’s humiliation was complete. This in turn led to the temporary establishment of the Paris Commune an embryonic communist government, and civil war.

As well as providing a vivid description of the siege and fighting, the author of this well researched account analyses the long-term effects be they social, military and political both on France and wider Europe. He argues that while the siege was not particularly costly in terms of human life, its legacy was the reduction of French global influence, the growth of German militarism, the evolution of international communism and changes in the world order.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781526790293
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication date: 09/23/2021
Pages: 224
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

NA ‘Tank’ Nash CBE was educated at Latymer Upper School before entering the catering industry with J Lyons and Co Ltd. He enlisted in the Honourable Artillery Company in 1957 and served until conscripted for National Service in 1960; he was a member of the Army Catering Corps for thirty years, rising to the rank of Brigadier. He resigned his commission in 1991. For thirty-three years, from 1973, he wrote humour under the pen name ‘Sustainer’ and his work was published internationally in a variety of military journals. His books for Pen and Sword include K Boat Catastrophe, ‘Strafer’ Gott – Desert General, Chitral Charlie – The Rise and Fall of Major General Charles Townshend and Valour in the Trenches.

Table of Contents

List of Maps vii

Acknowledgements viii

Abbreviations used in chapter notes ix

1 On Sieges 1

2 The Background: Hubris and the Great Exposition 5

3 The Protagonists - The French 13

4 The Protagonists - The Prussians 24

5 …and So, To War 30

6 Wissembourg, Spicheren and Fræschwiller, 4-6 August 1870 39

7 Prussia Invades, Metz Invested 48

8 Beaumont and Sedan: 29 August-27 October 59

9 Sedan: The Aftermath 73

10 September: Investment of Paris and the Fall of Strasbourg 92

11 October: Civil Disorder and the Fall of Metz 108

12 November: Coulmiers and La Grande Sortie 133

13 December: Belfort, Amiens, Orléans 155

14 January: A New German Empire 171

15 January: Bombardment - Ethics and Practicality 178

16 January: Chanzy, Faidherbe, Bourbaki and Armistice 188

17 February: Election, Peace and Reparations - The Gathering Storm 206

18 March: Rise of the Commune 215

19 March: Thirteen Important Days 233

20 April: Civil War 240

21 May: Rossel and the Fall of Fort Issy 254

22 May: Bloody Week 260

23 Retribution 274

24 Did the Siege of Paris Change the World? 278

Bibliography 283

Index 287

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