A History of the Third French Republic

"A History of the Third French Republic" by C. H. C. Wright is a journey through the beginnings of France's Third Republic in the wake of the Franco-Prussian War. The book looks at the important events, people, and power changes that shaped France during a time filled with strong national pride, building empires, and disagreements within the country. It starts by explaining how the failures of leaders like Emperor Napoleon III and Otto von Bismarck led to the Franco-Prussian War, pointing out the mistakes and bad decisions made by French leaders. By carefully looking at events such as the Prince Leopold situation, the book shows how rising tensions led to a new republic after France lost terribly in war and its government was thrown into chaos. This sets the scene for understanding how France's politics changed and how a new period of discussion and conflict began.