Depth Study 2 Key Debate: Factors explaining Prussian victory over France by
1871
1) Military reasons
The southern states joining with the northern states for the first time in a military
alliance
The tactics of Von Moltke
The Krupp Breech-loading artillery
First victory of the war at Spichren on August 5th
Outnumbering of French troops (470,000 vs. 300,000)
2) Diplomatic advantages favouring Prussia (p.107)
Russia’s promise to join Prussia should Austria join France- Kept Austria
Neutral
Hungarian Government was strongly opposed to War- not willing to join
in
Denmark’s lack of support to France
Italy’s lack of support to France
Britain’s lack of support to France- Bismarck claimed that France had
threatened to march into Belgium (activates treaty with Britain an
Belgium)
3) Economic reasons
Railways- allowed for quicker mobilisation of troops- beat Napoleon to
Metz
Krupp Steel- vital builder of German weapons for war
Zollverien- made alliance between North and South easier to gain access
to
4) Bismarck
1871
1) Military reasons
The southern states joining with the northern states for the first time in a military
alliance
The tactics of Von Moltke
The Krupp Breech-loading artillery
First victory of the war at Spichren on August 5th
Outnumbering of French troops (470,000 vs. 300,000)
2) Diplomatic advantages favouring Prussia (p.107)
Russia’s promise to join Prussia should Austria join France- Kept Austria
Neutral
Hungarian Government was strongly opposed to War- not willing to join
in
Denmark’s lack of support to France
Italy’s lack of support to France
Britain’s lack of support to France- Bismarck claimed that France had
threatened to march into Belgium (activates treaty with Britain an
Belgium)
3) Economic reasons
Railways- allowed for quicker mobilisation of troops- beat Napoleon to
Metz
Krupp Steel- vital builder of German weapons for war
Zollverien- made alliance between North and South easier to gain access
to
4) Bismarck
