Question

What was the cause of Franco-German rivalry?

Answer 1

Hint: Franco-German war also known as the Franco-Prussian war fought between Germany states led by Prussia against France from July 19, 1870, to May 10, 1871.

Complete answer: Franco-German rivalry in the 16th century leads to Franco-Prussian war of 1870-1871. The rivalry that arose between them was noted by Julius Caesar in his On the Gallic War. It was believed that one of the reasons which led to the first world war was Franco-Prussian war.
The important territorial disputes during these clashes centred on the ownership of Alsace and Lorraine as they passed into German hands in 1871 after the war.
Prussia defeated Austria in the Seven weeks war in 1866 which confirmed Prussian leadership on German states and threatened France's position as the dominant power in Europe. The Prussian Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck and Spanish leader Juan Prim persuaded the reluctant Leopold to accept the Spanish throne in June 1870. This move threatened France and French emperor Napoleon III declared war on Prussia in 1870 as his military advised him that the French army could defeat Prussia. Bismarck saw this as an opportunity to bring south German states into unity with the Prussian led North German confederation and build a strong German Empire. In the Battle of Sedan French lost 17,000 men and then they surrendered on September 2.

Note: Franco-German war resulted in the creation of Unified Germany. These two nations hate each other which can be seen in the paintings created by Alphonse de Neuville.