Age of Bismarck #23: France Declares War
Added 2025-08-07 10:00:11 +0000 UTCAll of Bismarck's schemes had led to this - but if his enemies had been more cautious, or less reckless, the war would never have happened. How important a role did French statesmen like Napoleon, or Gramont play in the eruption of war? How genuine was the war fervour among French officials, and was it truly on par with the French public? It is often said that Bismarck was fortunate in his enemies. Perhaps the greatest illustration of this is how the French reaction enabled Bismarck to seize victory from the jaws of defeat. Bismarck had wanted war since 1867, now all he had to do was win it...
