ABSTRACT
It was generally believed in Europe that France would win in the war which now began. No Great Power had, however, thought it in its interest to rally to her side; not Austria-Hungary, the most likely, not Russia, not Italy, least of all non-interventionist Britain. The South German States fulfilled their obligations under the treaties of 1866–67 and rallied to the side of Prussia. French military prestige stood high; German soldiers were considered to be inferior in scientific training; and their success against Austria was discounted for various reasons. Both armies had recently been reformed. 1 Though the war worked out very closely according to the German programme, the German victories were won by much narrower margins than is always understood. The siege of Paris was unexpectedly prolonged; but Bismarck succeeded in bringing the war to the desired end without a European Congress, which of all things he most feared. Nor is it difficult to detect the main elements of the German success. The German army was scientifically organised and prepared, and all the problems of war had been thoroughly studied. The command was united in the hands of Moltke, who deployed three armies. The German armies were ready long before the French, and they had in the decisive early stages of the war a great superiority in numbers; the Germans are estimated to have had on the frontier in the first encounters 500,000 against 200,000 men because of the chaos of French mobilisation. Moreover, a great enthusiasm swept over Germany and all party spirit was stifled in the ardour of the moment. On the side of France there were divided counsels. The Emperor nominally commanded, but his health was broken and his direction of the war was never more than nominal. The country would doubtless have been swept away by enthusiasm if victory had crowned the French arms, but, when defeat came, the divisions of the state were quickly seen. Moreover, campaign plans were constantly changed. Mac-Mahon commanded in Alsace; Bazaine in Lorraine. Bazaine was at first the national hero, though before the war ended he came to be regarded either as a fool or a traitor.
