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Surviving in the World: The past and present of European Tensions

 

Welcome back to Surviving in the World (SIW), your newsletter written by students for those interested in global affairs. We always try to present select topics in global news in an easy-to-understand format.

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In today’s letter, we cover the historical and current events that have lead to European tensions.​

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Brought to you by: Hayden Choi (’27), International Affairs Editor

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Word Count: 855 / Time: 7 minute read.

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​Learning from von Bismarck and the Franco-Prussian War

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Franco-Prussian War; wounded being treated at Rezonville. (Source:Wikimedia Commons)

 

Historical Background on Franco-Prussian War

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How France was provoked into attacking the North German Confederation:

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  • A conversation between King Wilhelm I of Prussia and the French Ambassador was edited by the North German Confederation’s Chancellor Otto von Bismarck to seem like both sides were attacking each other in a way to insult each nation.

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  • This led to a very impulsive and irrational decision of the French parliament to declare war on the North German Confederation, who was the first to declare war on July 19th, 1870.

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Why this was an “impulsive and irrational” decision:

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  • The French military had a rampant alcohol addiction issue.

  • Due to the French military having selective conscription, any of the more rich populace were able to pay their way out of the war.

  • The number of reserves were low compared to the North German Confederation due to France having selective conscription.

  • France was known for employing the Mitrailleuse, a generally better version of the Gatling gun and the Chassepot, a breech-loading rifle that had a faster firing rate than the German needle guns.

    • However, the French during the war only had 2 main railroads heading east to supply their forces unlike the German 6, which could bring reserves quickly and effectively.

    • In addition, the French army did not use artillery effectively unlike the Germans, who used it to turn tides of battle quickly as artillery could force a retreat if not countered.

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Current situation in Germany (split between North Confederation and Southern states)

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  • Otto von Bismarck wanted all German speaking states in the South (apart from Austria that they had a war with to create the North German Confederation) to join the North German Confederation to make a unified Germany.

  • Those southern states, like the member states of the North German Confederation had kings in power and did not want to join the confederation.

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North German Confederation’s Winning Strategy

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  • General von Moltke’s use of state-of-the-art artillery

    • After encircling General Macmahon and Napoleon III (French) in a pincer move before the Siege of Sedan, General von Moltke bombarded the antiquated fort to effectively demoralize the French army and Napoleon III into surrendering.

    • By orders of General von Moltke (Chief of staff of Prussian army), staff officers went to France to draw out maps of French territory, some of which were on par or better than French-made maps of France.

       

  • Better understanding of enemy actions (war games).

    • In 1811 a wargaming (board game type) enthusiast named George Leopold von Reisswitz tried to create a game in which military units could move freely on terrain much like real war.

    • This game was adopted by the Prussian military and used to simulate different battle scenarios against possible adversaries.

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“Ukraine claims during war, 12,000 Russian troops so far killed, heavy weaponry destroyed”. (Source: Anadolu Agency)

 

Connection to Russo-Ukrainian War: Russian actions parallel that of France during the Franco-Prussian War

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  • Poor logistics and preparations

    • Russia has poor logistics within Ukraine as seen from how convoys that were miles long would be stopped because of shortages in resources (like that time a 40 mile convoy was stopped).

  • Poor morale (both among soldiers and citizens)

    • The Russian soldiers have not much resources and good equipment contrary to their weapons and armaments which seen from many studies by the US military (they found hot food was really good for higher moral).

  • Inability to use technological advantage to quickly end the war

    • Although Russian equipment are much more modern (AK-12, T-90) they are improperly used and many times are used against civilians.

    • Many 2K22 Tunguskas ($16 million) and tanks were abandoned and were later towed by Ukrainian farmers and scrapped for metal.

       

  • Tactical failures / Impulsiveness of Russian actions

    • Fast capture of Kyiv to force “recognition” (occupation) of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent was unsuccessful.

      • This demonstrates Putin’s impulsiveness because he didn't have high morale amongst troops and not good supply lanes into Ukraine (logistics not worked out beforehand).

        • Von Moltke would have planned all of this out before engaging in such an operation.

    • But now, they are waging a war of attrition in Ukraine’s eastern flank, occupying much of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts.

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