Franco-German War
The Franco-German War, particularly the conflict that emerged in the late 19th century, serves as a significant historical episode between France and Germany, culminating in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. This war was rooted in a complex interplay of national ambitions, territorial disputes, and political maneuvering, including the longstanding interest of the Franks in the region of Lorraine. The backdrop of the war involved a series of territorial claims and military confrontations that shaped the political landscape of Europe.
In 1870, tensions escalated as France, under Emperor Napoleon III, sought to counterbalance the rising power of Prussia, which had unified various German states under its leadership. The resulting conflict led to a decisive Prussian victory, significantly altering the balance of power in Europe. The war concluded with the proclamation of the German Empire in 1871, marking a pivotal moment in the establishment of Germany as a dominant political entity.
The aftermath of the Franco-German War had profound implications, including the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine by Germany, which sowed seeds of resentment in France and contributed to future conflicts. Understanding the Franco-German War provides valuable insights into the historical context of modern European relations and the long-standing complexities between these two nations.
Franco-German War
At issue: Control of the province of Lorraine
Date: 978-980
Location: Lorraine, Paris
Combatants: Western Franks vs. Germans
Principal commanders: Western Frank, King Lothair (941-986); German, King Otto II (955-983)
Principal battles: Aix-la-Chapelle, Compiègne, Attigny, Laon, Montmartre, Paris
Result: Retention of Lorraine by the Germans
Background
The Carolingian kings of the western Franks long had an interest in the province of Lorraine. In 900, the inhabitants of Lorraine recognized Charles III the Simple as their king, and Charles promptly took possession of it. In 912, he defended it against the interests of the German king Conrad I and his successor Henry I, with Frankish rule firmly established in the province by 921.
Internal strife caused Charles to lose his crown to Robert I of Neustria in 922, who in turn was killed during the fighting, and the crown passed to Raul, duke of Burgundy, in 922. Raul died childless in 936, and the crown passed to Louis IV d’Outremer.
Louis revived the claims to Lorraine of Charles III, as the province had been taken with little effort by the Germans in 925 and maintained as a duchy. Louis invaded in 938 at the request of Duke Gilbert of Lorraine, though he faced opposition at home from Hugh the Great. Louis was finally routed in the fight against the German and French forces of German king Otto I and Hugh the Great. He died in 954, leaving a strong position to his son, Lothair I, who was crowned king on November 12, 954.
Not long into his reign, Lothair prepared to take the reins of what had been his father’s and grandfather’s policy: the acquisition of Lorraine at German expense.
Action
Lothair gave clandestine encouragement to the nobles of Lorraine, who were revolting against Otto II, the new king of the Germans, while preparing his invasion. He secretly raised an army and in 978 marched on Aix-la-Chapelle. His invasion was based on surprising Otto’s forces in Aix-la-Chapelle, but the German king had been warned, and he and his men escaped unharmed. Lothair entered Aix-la-Chapelle and installed himself in the old Carolingian palace, but not for long. With his provisions failing and his decisive engagement nonexistent, Lothair would spend only three days in the province before retreating to his own kingdom.
Otto, furious at Lothair’s action, gave vengeful pursuit into the Frankish king’s own land. The German forces destroyed Compiègne and Attigny, took Laon, and camped on the heights of the Montmartre. They then proceeded to burn the suburbs of Paris, while priests sang victory songs. Before a complete destruction of the capital was completed, Lothair finally forced Otto to retreat back to the Aisne (November, 978).
Lothair was just able to cut off Otto’s passage across the river and, to his credit, destroyed much of Otto’s camp and baggage. The fighting ended with each side roughly in the same position as it had been when they started, with Lothair the worse for wear given his failure to reclaim the province for the Franks.
Aftermath
This barren land struggle, typical of the age, ended with little advantage for either side. In 980, Lothair and Otto met on the frontiers of each kingdom, where they embraced and swore mutual friendship (which would not last long).
Bibliography
Fichtenau, Heinrich. The Carolingian Empire. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1995.
Halphen, Louis. “France, the Last Carolingians, and the Accession of Hugh Capet.” In Germany and the Western Empire. Vol. 3 in Cambridge Medieval History. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1968.
Riche, Pierre. The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1993.