Causes of the Franco-Prussian War volunteers at the Prussian embassy in Florence, and a Prussian diplomat visited Giuseppe Garibaldi in Caprera. After the fall of Napoleon III following the Battle of Sedan, Bismarck's demand for the return of Alsace caused a dramatic shift in that sentiment, which was best exemplified by the reaction of Garibaldi soon after the revolution in Paris, who told the "Movimento" of Genoa on 7 September 1870, "Yesterday I said to you: war to the death to Bonaparte. Today I say to you: rescue the French Republic by every means." Causes of the Franco-Prussian War The causes of the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War order of battle Chief of Staff: "Generalleutnant" Leonhard von Blumenthal Though not a belligerent in the conflict, the Belgian army was mobilized and placed on readiness at the country's borders in fear of a preemptive attack by either party through the neutral territory during the Franco-Prussian War. (See Belgium and the Franco-Prussian War). Commander-in-Chief: King Leopold II Chief of Staff: Lieutenant General Bruno Renard Minister of War: Major General Henri Guillaume The Army of Observation ("Armée d'Observation") numbered approximately 55,000 men. Its role was to defend the country's borders. Commander: Lieutenant-General Baron Félix Chazal Chief of Staff: Colonel Monoyer The Army of Antwerp