Troops passing before Wilhelm I of Germany

Troops passing before the Emperor on the Opera Place~~~~The Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 established Germany as the major power of mainland Europe. The annexation of the previously French territory of Alsace-Lorraine by Germany was a source of permanent anguish to France, aggravated by Wilhelm I being crowned Kaiser of the newly unified Germany in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. The victory was the pinnacle of an aggressive foreign policy that had seen wars against Denmark and Austria in he 1860s, and an inherent belief in the superiority of German Kultur (culture). The dazzling magnificence of these Prussian troops marching through Paris embodies the elitism of the militaristic Prussians

Hi-Res image available upon request

Grandeur Militaristic Parades Splendour

Features In These Collections

> Contributors > ILN