Landships II

Long Tom · Brigadier

World War One And The Franco-Prussian War

CharlieC · Legend

That's an interesting question. I'm not sure there is a simple or comprehensive answer, however....

France was "modernised" during the 1880s, the third republic. Free, compulsory primary education was introduced and the use

of other languages than French was discouraged. Many different languages were spoken in France before this so national unity

wouldn't be a given in any crisis if you accept the unifying effect of a common language.

France was late in building extensive railway networks, the construction of public railways wasn't legalised until 1842 and the growth

of the railway network was initially quite slow. My view is that the railway network had a major role in unifying the country.

Regards,

Charlie

28juni14 · Hero

I would agree partially; with the railroad assessment The House of Rothchild made large investments in European railroads development; and they rarely made bad investments. The French Nord line being a prime example. And Paris has historically been the preferred feeding grounds for radicals; the 1st Republic , the 1848 revolution, the commune killings of 1871, etc. Perhaps the city earned a reputation of hostile separatism to rural France; as your statements suggest.

However, I've always been of the opinion that the defeat of the 1870 war provided the tangible substance for military institutions cry of "la revanche", and that in turn helped to promote the republic's nationalism; particularly their armament programs and aggressive foreign sales of the same. But chiefly their government's determination to secure an alliance of sorts with Russia. Just my humble views......

imarkroger · Corporal

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Long Tom · Brigadier

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWI-FRENCH-INFANTRY-1914-4-FIGURES-1-35-ICM-35682/252385781322?epid=20012048166&hash=item3ac35d664a:g:HNQAAOSwZjJU5HJG:rk:26:pf:0

I cannot help but note that these 1914 French soldiers wear uniforms that resemble those from the Franco-Prussian War. And that by war's end, the clothing was completely different.

28juni14 · Hero

The red pantaloons provided an instant identity of French soldiers and a source of national pride. The French may have been the best army that took the field in 1914; they obviously believed they were anyway. The red trousers were replaced with reluctance in 1915. But it took more time to finally decide on horizon blue for the remainder of the war.