Glory & Defeat: The Franco-Prussian War 1870/71 (Full Documentary)

[@realtimehistory]

Pre-Order the Glory & Defeat Book Now: store.nebula.app/glorydefeat

[@mrdijon5740]

Ordered mine

[@frebinfrancis2193]

P

[@joegerhardusa9017]

I've watched this documentary at least 4 times now. Its fantastic

[@TheDude1980]

This documentary is exceptional, very well done.

[@Crainiuss]

@@mrdijon5740 😊😊

[@DarkFire515]

This is probably the most professional and impressive history documentary ever published on KZbin. Congratulations to the entire team at RTH. Brilliant achievement!

[@badmanbenny1]

Says every documentary I watch I’ll say it for money

[@AntonQvarfordt]

not really

[@AntonQvarfordt]

I mean... Soviet Storm is amazing.. like 5 times more professional.. But that wasn't made for KZbin. I think kzbin.info makes stuff produced for KZbin in very much the same vein, that's a fair bit better made than this.. Amongst others.

[@feargall2289]

@@AntonQvarfordt l o m

[@feargall2289]

K l m. 9b

[@ianvance9035]

I have a great-great-great grandfather who fought in this war, on the Prussian side. His name was Schultz (too common to look up). I have inherited his Prussian Army cufflinks, they have been passed down in our family for 150 years now. Thanks for bringing this story to life in this video!

[@Jay-zk7uw]

Respect to your great-great-great grandfather and all those who helped forge history, often at the cost to themselves. A shame so many haven't seemed to learn from their suffering.

[@caustic7480]

wow.... that is f**king awesome!! Such a cool heirloom. I have my grandads watch he took with him into the Somme, never to return sadly like so many of those boys. Us Euro's sure do love killing each other eh??!

[@Nmax]

That is very nice history

[@samhaws3855]

Cheers to you and your family. Keep these heirlooms close!

[@Pioneer_DE]

„us Euros sure do love killing each otjer eh??!“ - american/canadian detected

[@parlyramyar]

Can't believe all of this is free. Many thanks to all those who worked on this great documentary. Kudos 👍🏻

[@amare1cro]

I love it also, but dont be sucking off great channels because you are confused that you dont have to pay for something Knowledge must be free 100% So dont be a sheep and offer to pay sth. Stuff should be free. And commercials are more than covering the fees of making these great videos

[@BuurmanDirk69]

@@amare1cro Living costs money in our society bro. People who make this great content need to live, don't you think? KZbin is a spoiled annoying toddler who can demonetize you for no reason at all. Don't assume ads pay for everything.

[@robertandrews6915]

@@amare1cro their videos are demonized so they don't make anything from views

[@myowngenesis]

It's not really free. The real heroes are the ones supporting them.

[@lukewarme9121]

It’s not FREE. You are forced to suffer thru ads.

[@peterszeug308]

XXL props for the very authentic German and French pronounciation! it makes the whole thing so much more real, a fine detail most content creators would ignore

[@jessealexander2695]

Thanks!

[@woodshed_moments]

Wow.... just wow.

[@miketackabery7521]

​@@jessealexander2695coupled with your intense and exciting narration! I'd be asleep if someone else were in your place: instead I'm riveted.

[@logangustavson]

​@@miketackabery7521gay

[@TheEnergizer94]

​@@logangustavson congrats. Is this the first place you come out of the closet from? Don't give up!

[@rennor3498]

Three Germans were sitting on a train in 1946. After a long awkward silence the youngest German spoke up. "Stop looking at me like that! I received the Iron Cross for heroics at Hürtgen Forest." The middle aged German scoffed, and replied "So what? I got the Military Merit Cross at Passchendaele for courage and bravery." Then the elderly German looked up and responded; "I was at the Battle of Sedan and Siege of Paris and I didn't receive any medals. But at least we won the damn war."

[@JoaoGabriel-co6lf]

Oh... how I love historical jokes! Thank you my friend!

[@rennor3498]

@@JoaoGabriel-co6lf You welcome!😅 I meant it as both a joke and a historic allegory of how the posterity usually screws up what was put together by their forfathers.

[@clawcross]

Chances are the older german would not have survived the winter of 1945-46 so there is no joke

[@rennor3498]

@@clawcross Villages and rural towns far from cities in West Germany had been mostly spared from the vicious Allied bombing raids of 1944-1945. So basic sustinance such as dairy, wheat and meat products and sheter would have been more available and common than in cities.

[@luciocociani6870]

2:12:05 ​@@rennor3498

[@xModerax]

I watched all 6 hours of it and I went from cheers to tears. In our history classes, the war ended with Sedan but in reality it was just the beginning. Thank you for this masterful display of history!

[@Caesar_1415]

yes!!

[@greenockscatman]

Aye, our history book just had a painting of Sedan with a couple of paragraphs about how the French lost. I just always assumed that was the final battle!

[@robertgresham3603]

Thank you so much for providing all of the educational materials that you do. The fact that it’s freely available to anyone who wishes to learn speaks volumes about your work. It’s truly appreciated.

[@robertandrews6915]

How does it speak volumes that it's free?

[@robertgresham3603]

@@robertandrews6915 My position in saying “it speaks volumes” is in reference to the fact of being “free to anyone” (I know he probably makes ad revenue) shows that his primary concern is passing on his in depth experience and knowledge vs. putting it behind a pay wall. That’s all I was referring to.

[@seemo82]

This documentary that I watched intermittently over three days is one of the best I have ever seen on KZbin. Jessy Alexander passion to history is clear also he added great dimension to this documentary with his French and German quotes. Brilliant! Thank you very much for this work. Perfection!

[@jessealexander2695]

Thanks!

[@letsdothis9063]

The pronunciation blew my mind. It all comes together as a masterpiece of historical lecture. I have the attention span of a goldfish. Even I was gleefully engaged through the entirety.

[@nicholasgignac7065]

I watched this video in full across multiple 1 hour sessions and every time I opened it back up to continue watching, I’d immediately move to upvote the video only to realize I’ve done it already. This is the type of video that deserves more than just one upvote. I can only imagine the incredible amount of work you put into this. Fantastic job.

[@afafila]

its called "like" this isnt reddit

[@refuge42]

I too am certain to rewatch this superb documentary. I stumbled across it last night and dozed off about 3:00 a.m. , overcome by a storm of exhaustion and fascination. I still have the last hour to go and that's where I'm headed I just had to take a break and sing high praise for excellent work!

[@MrSlinky]

@@afafila who cares

[@py8554]

More than six hours on Franco Prussian War, a historically pivotal yet often neglected war (just look at the volume of videos dedicated to the American Civil War which happened a few years earlier)! Didn’t expect to find such wonderful thing here in KZbin! Thanks!!

[@bunk95]

Imagine all the [religious] giving.

[@cmciff4054]

Feels strange to just provide a thumbs up for such a masterpiece. So brilliantly written, produced and narrated. Thank you.

[@thefritz123]

Congratulations! Certainly one of if not "the" most ambitious and well done history projects on youtube. Surprising how interesting and consequential these events were, that I had completely ignored. I learned a lot. Many thanks to all participants in this project.

[@MalikF15]

The most underrated war. It sets the stage for the next 70 years of war.

[@Gorboduc]

This one and the Russo-Japanese are unjustly ignored, maybe because of the hyphenated names.

[@MalikF15]

@@Gorboduc I can see how they are ignored given how quick they were and the utter stomping that occurred. But ya the Russo-Japanese war made imperial japan like how the Franco-German war made imperial Germany

[@Ravyne]

This is one of the finest documentaries on the Franco-Prussian war I have ever watched. I was spellbound for the entirety. Thank you RTH for your hard work. I cannot wait for the book's release!

[@christophermichaelclarence6003]

The Franco 🇫🇷 Prussian War 1870 led to the Birth of Germany 🇩🇪

[@AkakaDomenjer]

I think its pure propaganda.

[@bcreech17]

@@AkakaDomenjero you really think there is a need to propagandize the Franco-Prussian War in our current time? Seriously? It’s actually rather offensive that someone would denigrate the incredible amount of work and production that went into this extremely informative documentary that we are lucky enough to get for free.

[@deandesrosiers6857]

@@bcreech17 agreed! Argue with an idiot and you generally lose based on experience. This is a remarkably balance documentary free of propaganda and hyperbole.

[@EricNielsen85]

I'm the son of an immigrant. Not rich at all; but thank goodness for you guys, who teach history and objective culture for the masses. Discovered the channel back in 2017 and you have been expanding my knowledge SO MUCH (and you have never imposed anything in return). I always 'like' and have commented before as my 'sacrifice' to the algorithm and 'support' you somehow, but this documentary and all your content is truly a gift for humanity. I have to say, deep from my heart: Thank you.

[@realtimehistory]

thanks Eric!

[@Paeoniarosa]

Came here to learn about a war I'd never heard of and became fascinated by Jesse's pronunciation of German and French. Thank you for a great series.

[@calvinseu11]

Some documentaries are great for military history, others for political history, others for how societies and cultures are shaped by events, and this one someone manages to kill it in all 3 categories with smooth transitions and without being choppy. Fantastically done.

[@eurapersaus]

The soldiers and civilians mutilated by cannon balls, bullets and bayonets must have been really impressed by the bravery of the French emperor, who had to endure the pain of sitting on a hard third class train bench while fleeing the battle scene. Thank you for this thorough and well made documentary.

[@druisteen]

Napoléon III suffured urolithiasis , quite painfull .. By the way ... Hitler commited suicide ...locked in his bunker ...

[@cd6xc]

I've watched twice already. It's incredibly well researched, written and produced. Masterpiece, guys.

[@aeliusromanus9338]

Greetings from Brazil and from a guy who loves History. You guys are amazing on all the enlightenment you bring to us all. Muito obrigado e sucesso!

[@realtimehistory]

Thank you very much!

[@tonyarceneaux286]

@@realtimehistory I just became your latest subscriber.

[@tonyarceneaux286]

@@realtimehistory Do you have one on the Boer War?

[@christianvincentcostanilla8428]

Try World War 1. 1914

[@Aiketin87]

Bruh this is way better than anything the History channel's got to offer. Hats off to the team, this is a legit production. Watched over the course of 2 days.

[@kabuchi5160]

6 hours straight, with no downtime. excellent documentary.

[@mart6313]

It's been a wonderful journey through 6 hours, but felt like decades of living history. My utmost gratitude for the creators of RTH. You've bring an enlightenment, and carved a path for understanding the Franco-Prussian War.

[@Soft-Revolution]

So glad some one finally took the time to go through this incredible war. Absolutely fascinating! Thank you to Real Time History

[@lordofspearton8643]

Wow. This was a marathon. Easily the most detailed video I've ever seen on the subject. It really illustrates the absolute astounding speed at which the second empire fell in relation to the overall war. Generally I see later battles and Siege of Paris condensed down, but this video really illustrates the extreme length the Third Republic held out after the writing basically being on the wall.

[@FirstLast_Nba]

Bismark has a plan. Bismark ALWAYS has a plan.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

The French, too, had a plan (of sorts). But the French plans always seemed to dissolve in their own fecklessness and arrogance and lack of appreciation of reality.

[@Challis1989]

@@chuckschillingvideos napoleon aside incompetent generals seems to be a common theme with the French army.

[@abdirahmanidris290]

@@Challis1989 this seems to be a common theme with the French. Mabye their successful empire made them arrogant

[@bigjuicecup9857]

@@chuckschillingvideos beu thazs why in top hundred most succesful generals u have pmwnty of french ones and and several in the top 10 napoleon on nr 1 cry silently plllsss 😂

[@laststand6420]

Bismark is one of the most interesting people in European history.

[@Brian1Graves]

This chap is one of the best presenters I have heard. He is clearly a polyglot and one wonders how many languages he speaks besides the three he has clearly mastered.

[@vsquared86]

The most comprehensive explanation of how the German state was created that I have ever come across! Amazingly detailed!

[@firun2635]

Very impressed by your German and French pronounciation. I wish more history channels would be as diligent. Wonderful documentary about an era that is not commonly spoken about these days. Thank you for that!

[@Vincent-S]

The part about the naval fight at Havana was amazing Like a boxing match for the Spanish to watch and moderate before ringing the bell so things got too bloody And thank you for the video that combines the whole series, I missed it when it was being made and have been spending my lunches watching it.

[@heinvanderheijden411]

Brilliant series! Also worth mentioning, a host who pronounces names right and speaks his languages. Have not heard that happen in the past decade! Highly recommended series.

[@ooterz3358]

the fact that is is free… blows my mind. absolutely amazing documentary

[@fitveganathleteintegrateda1695]

This documentary presentation was astonishing in detail and chronological structure. I read textbook chronologies of the Franco-Prussian War before, seeing it as a clear seed sown to be harvested in 1914. While aware of the general demolition of France, the attention to the unrelenting suffocation of French chauvinist pride, really illustrated the agony suffered. Fascinating, but the French had a military vessel in the 1854 Crimean War named La Gloire -- the first ironclad, it had to be towed into battle. Beyond A++. Thank you!

[@ImperialGuard322nd]

On the last point, La Glorie was built after the Crimean War. The French did have armored floating batteries at the siege of Sevastopol, but not La Glorie. She was built a few years later.

[@ancientmusketeer6564]

This is the best history of the Franco-Prussian War I have ever seen. I wish it was available on DVD.

[@zyzzsdisciples6707]

I could never have dreamed historical documentaries could achieve this level of quality. Utterly supereminent

[@tangkhul_Tekken]

Jesse Alexander's voice is so soothing. I can listen to him all day. Its incredible that this is a 6 hour video. Thank you Jesse.

[@charlesk22]

WOAH!!! Calling this an epic is understatement. Props man. So much respect for you and your team!!!! Great work!!!

[@russellgrant7699]

I’ve spent 60 years working in TV and you, sir are superb. Thank you for a most informative and compelling documentary. I’ve been glued to your every word. Outstanding.

[@jessealexander2695]

Thanks!

[@IkeThemage]

My mom’s family came to America right before and right after ww1. They lived in west prussia and I’m almost 100% sure I had a very distant relative that fought for the Prussians in this war. Thank you so much for all of the information, and knowledge you have given all of us. Thank you for bringing light and personality to this otherwise overlooked conflict. You made me acquainted with what my ancestors went through. Thank you

[@IkeThemage]

@ruhrpottkanake Thank you! It makes me feel appreciated that people still respect Prussia in the region

[@MrRikouz]

I'm always amazed by the Americans having interest in conflicts and wars only when a distant ancestor that they never met was (maybe) involved. I mean, if Europeans were to act the same, they all would be historians by now.

[@MarkAnderson-ng8vc]

@@MrRikouz I'm pretty sure this is a universal trait, people being interested in their ancestors. For Americans, the fact that our country is so 'new' maybe makes Europe seem fascinating by comparison.

[@sebe2255]

@ruhrpottkanake kanake huh?

[@themaskedman221]

My great-grandfather (dad's mother's side) definitely fought in this war as well. I'm not certain of his rank but he was definitely an officer and I have a photograph of him in my email.

[@mikesnyder7961]

As a war and history nut, this is truly the most impressive documentary I think I have ever seen. The artwork, the weapons specialists, the host who can seamlessly transition from French to German is truly Remarkable. I subscribed to this within 5 minutes of watching. Great work by all.

[@Ep0nz]

War is terrible…it not only hurts the soldiers at the front, but even those that have nothing to do with said war. Well done on an AMAZING documentary. This was thoroughly researched/put together!

[@Sabrowsky]

I'm learning french at this moment, so Jesse occasionally speaking french actually helps with me understanding pronunciation. Thanks Jesse, you da man

[@MrMadman864]

That was exceptional. The content, the presentation, the accessibility; it was superb. The personal accounts of soldiers brought a perspective most documentaries lack. Well done!

[@XSmith-mm3ox]

Thanks to everybody funding this channel. What a treat to watch for free.

[@scotttomlinson1057]

Wow what a wonderful yet gruesome time in history. Thank you for it all. The photos and artwork were astonishing. Not once did I wish to put my phone down! Very well done.

[@roboklotz5551]

What a great series. I very much appreciate Jesse for his restrained yet gripping style of narration.

[@okosuntom2808]

I really enjoyed this story.I have read a lot about the Franco-Prussian war in history books but i would confess i learnt more here today than i have learnt in any history book.The way you highlight it is so interesting .I never knew the Franco-Prussian war as was bloody as this.War is really brutal .Once again thanks for giving us this story for free and you just got a new subscriber 👍👍.

[@gabespiro8902]

Those letters from the fighting during Christmas brought me to tears Something you guys have always done well is showing a human aspect of history. It’s so easy to get caught up in the sabre rattling and statistics of history that you forget the people who were there

[@augustvonmackensen3902]

Brain: “You’ve already watched this series as individual episodes, why do you need to watch it all again as a whole?” Me: “Yeah, but….

[@MichaelMorrison1989]

This video is how I'm discovering this channel. If this is any indication of the quality in general, I am kicking myself for not finding you sooner! Incredibly well done, thank you for your hard work with this remarkable look into such a pivotal moment in European history!

[@raigarmullerson4838]

thank you for all the hard work putting this masterpiece together. Cheers from Estonia

[@Ohmygodstfu2045]

The one war that has had me interested as if it were a great mystery since world history in my high school days. This documentary is really solid.

[@JohnOpie]

I loved reading the eyewitness reports from military observers as a kid (my father was a historian). One thing that really stood out was the lessons the Prussians learned from the American Civil War that railroads = logistical superiority, and how civilians at the beginning viewed it as entertainment and grounds for a lovely picknick to watch the mayhem. The technological development of the needle gun and the mitralleuse are also interesting, pointing to what would come. Thanks for a great documentary!

[@skivvy3565]

The pronunciations... the production value... the depth and accuracy. We don’t deserve this for free. You’re too generous

[@5h0rgunn45]

I appreciate how you take the time to pronounce French, German, and Russian correctly.

[@wendeln92]

I'm very glad that information on the weaponry was included. The video comparing the chassepot vs the Dreyse needle gun was done very well. You can actually see the gasses (smoke) escaping from the breech of the Dreyse but the chassepot was very sharp and clean, then the effect of the projectile on the silicon (?) mold!!! later in the video a quote from a German describes the rumbling feeling of being hit and the description clearly describes the effects of the live firing. LOVE these videos!!!! Just ordered the book.

[@Beausabre]

Ballistics gel is essentially a high-grade from of gelatin, like Jell-O.

[@c0rnp0p80]

Sweet! Before this there really wasn't that much on KZbin going over this conflict, which was sad because the Franco-Prussian war was the link between the Napoleonic wars and WW1. This war was such an important moment in European history!

[@MagicMushroom1971]

Certainly one of the best documentary's on KZbin. Very well done!

[@fredericfillet6179]

As a Frenchman senior, I watched your documentary as a thriller. It is an excellent objective work, supported by a huge documentation. That you very much to the whole team. I will remember 2 take-aways: first the amateurism of Napoleon 3 and second the « never ending » character of this war.

[@realtimehistory]

merci!

[@jessealexander2695]

Merci Frederic, votre commentaire m'a vraiment fait sourire!

[@fredericfillet6179]

Il me semble que le récit national français a tendance à rendre Bazaine responsable de la defaite. C’est pour çela que vos analyses objectives avec le souci du détail documenté sont pour moi très interessantes. Dans le même registre, mais en ce qui concerne la grande guerre, je vous conseille - si vous ne l’avez pas déjà lu- la lecture du « 4eme marechal » de Benoit Chenu, ouvrage qui aurait pu s’appeler « le maréchal oublié ».

[@jessealexander2695]

@@fredericfillet6179 Merci pour le conseil!

[@ednarayan2931]

Absolutely essential viewing. My new favourite YT channel. Please keep these coming!

[@Katiecakes]

An undertaking that went well above and beyond how history can be channeled in all it's gross enormity. Your command of the language like many have said is wonderful, how it can envelope you in the personal stories is an art as old as history. All I can say is thank you, my interest in this period has never been strong however the itch is now there. As an aside, my family has a vast history of service in many militaries around the world stretching back 900 years, and what most people don't know, or some try to overwrite,is how true unadulterated commentary comes from individual thoughtfulness. My family has letters that read as manuscripts to history unfolding, a soldiers etching on a gate wall, officers writing their wives of front intrigue, every surviving word a voice heard. It's hard to see history without so many filters applied through the ages, I'm glad some still yearn for those stories, the true histories. See? Got the history passions flowing! Again,thank you to everyone involved,hope to follow the link to the book as well.

[@mikedelepine]

My ancestors moved from the eastern suburbs of Paris to the western suburbs in 1870. I had an idea that the Franco/Prussian war and the Commune was probably the cause. Your wonderful documentary confirms this. Thank you so much for all this information!

[@Gravelgratious]

Damn that pretty cool yet grim, your family literally had to change neighborhoods because of steel rain. Lucky folks!

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

This is tour de force so detailed and comprehensive, replete with military experts discussing the weapons used, artwork, photos, eyewitness accounts, I feel like I have been through a war… And I’m only two thirds through viewing. As I am already familiar with the history, this super deep dive takes my cursory knowledge to a whole new level. KZbin at its best! Thanks. 👍👍

[@RileyEvansProduction]

So privileged to live in a information era! I’m so glad I financially supported your project! These sort of things are the positives of the modern era! Thankyou again, just a shame this gets a quarter of the views some of the garbage podcasts gets!

[@dagspicer7748]

I watch an episode every night when I get home from work. Jesse: you are an incredible historical sherpa, guiding us through The Past. THANK YOU!

[@jessealexander2695]

Thanks!

[@randyhavard6084]

It's even better listening to this series all at once than it was following week to week. Great series, along with the series of the invasion of Russia by Napoleon.

[@ok-pj4eu]

This is just what I've been waiting for a complete history from beginning to the end of the Franco Prussian War. Very well done. You cover the battles , tactics, commanders and the weapons perfectly. PS, please do one on the Russo Turkish war of 1877-78.

[@BiologicalXenon]

This will take me a couple of watches to finish, amazing. I’m glad to have a documentary this in depth about a war I never learned a whole lot about.

[@EdwardRoss-c8r]

Absolutely well done, professional storytelling, exacting imagery, art, firearms breakdowns, geography with tactics... perfect quotes in English, French , German...totally worth the time investment.

[@paulberry2884]

That's an amazing story. I vaguely remember studying the war and the Paris Commune at school nearly 50 years ago but didn't realize the impact of this war on future generations. Thank you.

[@ThePettho]

Thanks for this outstanding piece of history narrative. Interesting and deep, I have been listening for hours. Great work!

[@josephclark7814]

Possibly the best of this type of historical video that I’ve ever seen.

[@aitoriri1]

This is insane, from the presise and consise information, to the narration. Absolutely fantastic documentary

[@realtimehistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@syphernynx4186]

You need more followers, this is how a documentary should be, facts, quotes, diving into weaponry, statistics, & everything related to this subject !!! Wonderful man

[@phonecallsarejustoverquali1556]

This and The Great War series is popular history for television and video as it should always have been. And thumbs up for whoever makes the drawings for this, they are excellent. And on a side note: Wilhelm Dinesen (mentioned in several chapters) would become the father of famous writer Karen Blixen (born Dinesen) in 1885. She later chose her pen name Isak Dinesen in his memory.

[@NsanzeJimmy1]

Many Thanks to everyone behind this great History channel. From Uganda and a student of history but I find your materials helpful to understand my lessons thanks so much 🙏🙏

[@heybeter6685]

this is absolutely brilliant. the british royal armory guy is also a gem i see him all over youtube and hes always full of cool info

[@ivanstojanac7752]

This documentary is so detailed and interesting and covers many different aspects of this war. One of the best things I've watched recently.

[@jonmaloy6783]

Incredible job. Informative, gripping and thought provoking at the same time. Bravo!

[@chron836h]

Beautiful presentation, and you rarely see anything so authentic on KZbin. Hats off. I still have a video idea, the story of Alsace because there is a part of the world that has one of the most moving stories.

[@particlewaveduality1]

WHAT AN INCREDIBLE DOCUMENTARY I COULD HAVE USED THIS IN WAR COLLEGE

[@elfenomeno5319]

Congratulations for this remarkable documentary. I am so impressed by the quality and details provided.

[@manfredgrieshaber8693]

Napoleon III. first contested for the president's office after the 1848 revolution. Three years later he performed a coup d'etat which made him dictator of France after some fightings in some areas of the country. One year later he raised a public opinion poll about the restauration of the former napoleonic empire which was accepted by more than 90% of the voters. After he had declared himself Emperor Napoleon III. he was forced to proof his glorious reign again and again. During the Crimean War this worked but afterwards all other attempts to improve France's foreign position failed. After the Vienna Treaty in 1815 there were five major countries in Europe, the British Empire, France, Prussia, Austria and Russia. During the Crimean War France fought against Russia. In 1859 France supported the Italian Unification movement and fought against Austria. And for his neutrality during the Austro-Prussian-War of 1866 Napoleon III. demanded compensations, especially Luxembourg. This made the British Goverment furious as this threatened Belgium. And the catastrophic Mexican adventure displeased the United States. So in 1870 all major countries had some struggles with France. And jet the minister of foreign affairs, the Duke of Gramont hoped the other countries may support France even if France will declare war first, what a huge overconfidence.

[@domitiusafer]

Summary fairly faithful with some details , Napoleon III is aware of the reforms necessary for his army after the Prussian victory against Austria at Sadowa in 1866, Hence his decision to repatriate his army from Mexico but his decision from 1860 to liberalize the empire towards a constitutional monarchy led the elected parliament to reject a large part of the military reforms carried by Marshal Niel in 1867. Napoleon III, severely weakened by illness, will not have the energy to regain full powers to impose military reforms, Moreover, considering that it would lose all political credibility vis-à-vis the opposition if it reneged on its commitments to liberalize its regime The failure of Napoleon III to pass his military reform because of the parliamentary character of his regime will moreover be taken by the Prussian chancellor Bismarck to justify the superiority of an authoritarian Prussian monarchy over a parliamentary regime, and was strengthened by his victory over France in 1870. Napoleon III who is very ill lets himself influence by his entourage including the empress Eugenie de Montijo who committed a dramatic diplomatic error in 1870 because he thought to declare war on Prussia alone and was surprised by the alliance of Prussia with the others german states (Bavaria, Württemberg, Saxony etc...) usually allied with France, so that the one third of the French army mobilized more quickly, that is 300,000 soldiers, will quickly be submerged by 800,000 German soldiers, because the Germans, thanks to the use of railways, will mobilize much more quickly. Finally, the most seasoned French troops are far from the Franco-German borders, since "they fight a rebellion in Algeria or protect the pope in Rome against the conquests of the Italian royalty (which alienates Napoleon III from the Italian alliance).. . Some of these troops did not arrive in France until October 1870 after the defeat of Sedan and the surrender of Napoleon III on September 2, 1870. . France thus paid the price of its diplomatic isolation because of Napoleon’s wars sometimes without interest for France as the Crimean War 1854-1855 to please the English who deprived France of the alliance of setbacks against Germany with Russia while England did not intervene alongside France in 1870 because dissatisfied with the Suez Canal made by Ferdinand de Lesseps in Egypt which thus controls the road faster to their colonies in India

[@dr.barrycohn5461]

Grateful for this generous over the top upload. All at the highest quality. Expert presentations were special treats. One can see the development of acrimony at Versailles to take place years later.

[@kyle93watson]

What a wonderful documentary, I was very moved to hear about the snowball fight between the French and German soldiers. Never knew this happened. It truly shows that both sides were tired of fighting.

[@Reik_Kregar]

Thank you for the hours of enjoyment I've had from this documentary. This is one of the most underrated wars, though it is an extremely important one.

[@MartinBess]

This is such a great resource. I've been reading about the Franco-Prussian War for some time, but this really presents information in a clear and comprehensive way. Thank you!

[@Ohmygodstfu2045]

The Christmas segment never fails to bring a tear to my eyes.

[@okanv]

S Tier content. Thanks everyone who contributes the documentary.

[@sidecar8462]

It's the best documentary about this war, thank you!

[@TheStefanOyx]

So happy to have found your channel! Amazing history content!

[@Bruinschuss]

This episode displays an exceptional mastery of language and dedication to historical accuracy. Bravo

[@Ohmygodstfu2045]

This war is criminally under taught in the American education system. It sets up the French revanchism that comes full circle to make the treaty of Versailles so harsh in 1918. This documentary truly is a work of art and has made me fall in love with the late 1800s.

[@florinelenaradamilea]

And in all those wars, 1870, 1914 & 1939 it was the French & the British who Declared war on Germany who only after that replied with a declaration of their own.

[@LawrenceofIsrael]

​@@florinelenaradamileathank you!

[@florinelenaradamilea]

@@LawrenceofIsrael You're welcome.

[@ArmandDupin]

French revanchism died out in the second part of the 1890's. By 1914, only the far-right circles were still hoping to get back at Germany. The treaty of Versailles was so harsh (it actually wasn't harsher than most of the treaties enforced throughout the 19th century) because almost 20% of France had been razed to the ground, 1,4M frenchmen killed and 8 millions wounded, maimed and disfigured. It wasn't harsher than what Germany enforced at Brest-Litovsk, or had planned to enforce onto France, had she won the war.

[@florinelenaradamilea]

@@ArmandDupin wrong.

[@stunugent1318]

So refreshing to find a great series on European history in which the presenter knows how to pronounce European places.

[@Blue-1991]

This is a really great piece of information. I love how you show the view points of both sides in this bloody conflict. Thank you Und Dankesehr.

[@MSTavares]

Well you managed to get me hooked for the 6h:8min of the video, and I don't have words to explain how well you did with this long video

[@Jon.A.Scholt]

I just started rewatching the series this week, so this video dropped at the perfect time! Can't wait to get my hands on the book! I'm looking forward to your future series; looks like 100k subs is in the near future for you guys!

[@mr.e.k.1787]

Same story here!

[@cristianovisabel]

Discovered recently. Best history channel in youtube, by far. Thanks.

[@tballstaedt7807]

My great grandmother's uncles fought in this war. She live well into her 90's dying in 1971. I was able to meet her as a small boy.