By July 1870, the French people were fanatical in their desire for war with Prussia. That, at least, is what history has told us. But how true is it? Was the French people, or the French newspapers, or the French ministers, who truly pushed the war forward? Did France really see the Spanish throne as worthy of a casus belli, or had the war already been priced in by Napoleon and his men? In this episode we investigate the truth, and assess Bismarck's real contribution to these vital steps towards such a transformative war.
Ronald Henry
2025-07-24 19:08:31 +0000 UTC