What was the impact of changes in weaponry/technology in the Franco-Prussian war on the outcome of the war?
What was the impact of changes in weaponry/technology in the Franco-Prussian war on the outcome of the war?
The Franco- Prussian war was fought between the Second French Empire and a number of German states. These included the North German Confederation (made up of Prussia and many other northern German states). Bavaria, Baden, Wurttemburg, Hesse-Darnstadt. The war began due to a number of reasons: ranging from the fact that France worried that Prussia would expand too far and simply because Prussia wished to bring an end to France. Another crucial reason was the fact that Prussia had already annexed many northern German states and Prussia had a chance of inheriting Spain. This would not be good for France as they would be circled by enemies. However, what is believed to be the trigger cause in all this, was the fact that Prussia had altered a letter from France going to Wilhem I, stating that the French envoy was being treated badly.
Some of the key battles of the Franco-Prussian War included the Battle of Wissembourg (1870), the Battle of Gravelotte (1870) and the Siege of Paris (1870-1871). The Prussian military was made up of many young men, which could mobilise 1,200,000 men. The French military had a standing army of 400,000 men and had plans to double this army. It seemed both sides were heavily dependent on men and firepower, so the side with the best guns would come to victory.
The French military had a range of modern weapons. For example, they armed their men with the ‘Chassepot’, a modern rifle which was much more powerful than the Prussian Gun. The Chassepot (named after its creator) was a large evolution from the Minié rifle. It was bolt-action and had a firing range of about 1.2km. It could fire about 8-15 rounds a second, unlike the Minié which fire about 2-3 shots per minute. They also used the Lahitte cannon rifling and elongated shells replacing the old roundshot, guns could now fire projectiles weighing nearly twice the previous
The Franco- Prussian war was fought between the Second French Empire and a number of German states. These included the North German Confederation (made up of Prussia and many other northern German states). Bavaria, Baden, Wurttemburg, Hesse-Darnstadt. The war began due to a number of reasons: ranging from the fact that France worried that Prussia would expand too far and simply because Prussia wished to bring an end to France. Another crucial reason was the fact that Prussia had already annexed many northern German states and Prussia had a chance of inheriting Spain. This would not be good for France as they would be circled by enemies. However, what is believed to be the trigger cause in all this, was the fact that Prussia had altered a letter from France going to Wilhem I, stating that the French envoy was being treated badly.
Some of the key battles of the Franco-Prussian War included the Battle of Wissembourg (1870), the Battle of Gravelotte (1870) and the Siege of Paris (1870-1871). The Prussian military was made up of many young men, which could mobilise 1,200,000 men. The French military had a standing army of 400,000 men and had plans to double this army. It seemed both sides were heavily dependent on men and firepower, so the side with the best guns would come to victory.
The French military had a range of modern weapons. For example, they armed their men with the ‘Chassepot’, a modern rifle which was much more powerful than the Prussian Gun. The Chassepot (named after its creator) was a large evolution from the Minié rifle. It was bolt-action and had a firing range of about 1.2km. It could fire about 8-15 rounds a second, unlike the Minié which fire about 2-3 shots per minute. They also used the Lahitte cannon rifling and elongated shells replacing the old roundshot, guns could now fire projectiles weighing nearly twice the previous