How did he make it happen?
2007-02-19 06:28:13 · 1 answers · asked by ceomillionman 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
As chancellor of Prussia, von Bismarck wanted to goad France into declaring what he knew would be a short, sharp war. The resulting victory would complete the demonstration to Germanic peoples that union of Germany around Prussia was the best means of unification.
A question about the succession to the Spanish throne led to an audience in 1870 of the French ambassador with King William IV of Prussia on vacation at Ems. The king wrote the whole matter up in a communique. The communique was edited by Bismarck to make it seem that the king had grossly insulted the ambassador. The French government took the bait and went to war. They lost.
Look up "Ems Telegram" or "Ems Dispatch."
2007-02-19 07:02:58 · answer #1 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋