ABSTRACT
French nationalism glows with reminiscent ardour in recounting ancient wars with England. But it reaches white heat when it treats of recent wars with Germany. For the Franco-Prussian War scholarly opinion holds the Governments of both Prussia and France responsible. A war with France Bismarck believed to be “in the logic of history.” Through the war of 1866 with Austria he had succeeded in forcing that power out of Germany, and had formed a closely-knit union of German states north of the River Main, under Prussian leadership. The French Government had taken alarm at the rapid growth of Prussian power. France, after 1866, attempted to prevent the unification of Germany. The great European Powers all found themselves with a surplus of goods of which they must dispose, a surplus of capital seeking investment, and all except France with a surplus of mouths to feed. The Great Powers were playing a dangerous game for commerce, colonies, investment of capital, national prestige.
