In 1870, Prussian prime minister, Otto von
Bismark waged war on France, capturing Paris and claiming
other regions of French territory. The French troops proved
no match to the well trained and large Prussian army, forcing
Napoleon III to surrender and go into exile. A year later
the war with Germany had ended and the Third Republic emerged,
signaling the final days of the monarchy in France. Struggles
between the Monarchists and the Republicans continued until
finally in 1877 a move by the Royalists to replace the president
with a king was blocked.
This was a time of industrial expansion as
well as of extensive cultural contributions, especially in
the literary and artistic fields. The impressionist painters
and later the avant-garde movement began in France, making
Paris the art center of the world.
