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BATTLE OF SEDAN (SEDAN BATTLEFIELD)

December 9, 2015 By Howard Kramer Leave a Comment

Sedan, France (1870 AD)

The Battle of Sedan was the decisive battle of the Franco-Prussian War, and one of the largest battles fought in Europe between the Napoleanic era and World War I.  A resounding victory for Prussia, it was a humiliation for France and led directly to the capture of French Emperor Napolean III, the collapse of the French government, the end of the war and the creation of the German Empire.  It also officially ended any doubt of Germany’s status as a great power as well as the most powerful nation on the European continent.  It also left the French spoiling for revenge that would later lead to the beginning of the First World War.

History

For well over five decades, a nearly unparalled era of peace existed between the French and Germans.  However, under the surface centuries of wars and unresolved issues still lurked between the two most powerful states in continental Western Europe.  In the 1860s, Prussia, under the direction of the brilliant Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, began the final stages of absorbing the remaining German states of the south.  This, along with Prussian interference in the Spanish royal succession, led the France to declare war.

This was a disastrous decision for France, which was not as well prepared for war as they thought.  The Prussians, on the other hand, had one of the best trained and equipped armies in the world.  Moreover, with a French declaration of war, they were not hampered by concerns of international opinion.  The early French invasion of Prussia was a complete failure, and throughout the summer the French suffered a nearly unbroken string of defeats.

The war came to a head in October, when after several major strategic victories the Prussians had managed to surround the main French army at Metz, which was personally being led by Emperor Napolean III.  After several disastrous losses, the French army faced the Prussians with inferior forces and inferior arms under siege like conditions.

The Battle of Sedan essentially was one massive attempt for the French to break out of the encirclement and retreat towards Paris.  The French, led by the emperor and honored General Patrice de Mac-Mahon, attempted several assaults on the entrenched Prussian positions, but these were anticipated by the brilliant Prussian general Helmuth von Moltke, who blocked the French at every turn.  Eventually the trapped French leaders recognized the impossibility of their predicament and the army surrendered.  This quickly led to the fall of Paris, the collapse of the French Empire and the establishment of Germany as a state.

Visiting

Because the Battle of Sedan raged around the whole city, there are a number of sites in and around Sedan of interest.  Among the more interesting places is the location where Emperor Napolean III surrendered.  Not surprisingly, because Sedan was a disastrous defeat for the French, the battle is not well remembered.  However, there is a magnificent marble monument in Sedan commemorating the Franco-Prussian War in general

The Franco-Prussian War monument is in the center of town, while other sites are scattered around Sedan, approximately 150 miles northeast of Paris.  All relevant places are open sites, and there is no cost of admission.  Web: www.tourisme-sedan.fr (official tourism website of Sedan).

Filed Under: Battlefield Tagged With: France

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About Howard Kramer

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is a culmination of years of his work and passion.

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Welcome to The Complete Pilgrim(TM)! This site, created by Howard Kramer, is a combination travel blog and online guide to the world's greatest sites of religious interest (with some historic and recreational places thrown in for good measure). All written content has been originally researched and produced and is provided free for public research and enjoyment. Thank you for visiting!

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Have a comment, a great photo or a religious site you'd like to nominate for the weekly spotlight? We would love to hear from you. Email us at hkramer@thecompletepilgrim.com.

About the Author

Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. He first took an interest in religious sites in his early twenties when traveling through Italy after college. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the world’s greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is the culmination of years of his work and passion.

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