ABSTRACT
1870
19 July France declares war on Prussia.
4 Aug The French are defeated at the Battle of Wissem-bourg.
6 Aug The French are defeated at the Battles of Firbach and Froeschwiller.
2 Sept Napoleon III surrenders at Sedan.
4 Sept The Government of National Defence is formed and the Republic proclaimed.
5 Sept The Committee of Twenty Arrondissements is formed.
18 Sept The siege of Paris begins.
2 Oct Gambetta quits Paris for Tours.
27 Oct The capitulation of the fortress at Metz.
31 Oct A revolutionary journée in Paris against the Government of National Defence.
2-4 Nov Negotiations begin between Thiers and Bismark.
