The Franco-Prussian War of 1870 holds eminence as the war that shaped modern Europe and built the academic substructure of European diplomacy as well as the International Relations discipline. The conflict not only rescinded the geopolitical norms in Europe but also led to the development of the modern state. It also had a profound impact on the political, social, and economic landscapes of both France and Germany and had far-reaching implications for modern Europe.
The war paved way for the consolidation of German states, giving birth to the mighty German Empire (among the most powerful states of Continental Europe then), with Berlin supplanting Paris as the nucleus of global politics. This unification was formalized by the 1871 Treaty of Versailles, which created the German Empire and made Prussia the leading state within it.
Before the war, the German states were politically and economically diverse and had little sense of a unified identity. However, the impending war prompted cooperation and coordination among the German states, which helped foster a sense of national unity.
On the economic front, historian David Stevenson claims that the war was a key event in the emergence of a new kind of industrial society in Germany, characterized by a strong centralized authoritarian state, a powerful economy, and a rapidly growing population. The victory in the war demonstrated the strength of the German economy and led to an increase in international trade.
The war also led to the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine, which was an important industrial and agricultural region. The region bolstered the German economy, expediting the influx of more German citizens into the country and creating a diverse and cosmopolitan society. How Franco-Prussian War of 1870 shaped modern Europe?
Furthermore, the war diminished the influence of the traditional German nobility, which had previously held significant power in the German states. It engendered a claim for a more democratic and egalitarian society thus influencing German culture.
