Part II - Post-War Europe - Chapter 6

Of all the continents, Europe was, of course, going to feel the largest impact from the Treaty of Vaduz. But don’t think that its effects were felt just here, no, while maybe not as sudden, the rest of the world would be reeling from the Treaty for years to come.

Prussia

Prussia was hit especially hard. It had long been a dream of Otto von Bismarck to unite all the German states into one, united, Germany. Now that the visionary was dead, so was the vision. Prussia had lost an insurmountable amount of prestige following their humiliating defeat.

For years after the treaty signing, it seemed immanent that a revolution was to sweep once-mighty Prussia into chaos. The incredibly large sum that the Allies forced Prussia to pay was just too much. The Kingdom plunged into an Economic Depression. Gangs roamed the streets of Berlin and other major cities, doing whatever it took to find food.

Prussia needed money to feed its people and pay the Allies.

France

France however, was the near opposite of Prussia. Its victory had raised its prestige to levels not known since Napoleon I’s time. Ironically, a man of Bonaparte blood was responsible for this. Napoleon III became even more popular than he ever was with the end of the Franco-German War. With one strike France had become the dominant power in Western Continental Europe.

With victory came an economical boom. France is thriving. With all internal measures taken care of, France has begun sending expeditions to Africa with the intent to colonize large portions of the Dark Continent.

Napoleon III of France is immensly powerful and popular.

Great Britain

Britain as of 1871 is not yet affected by the Treaty of Vaduz. She continues her policy of “Splendid Isolation” but the war has forced Britain to look more in the direction of Continental Europe. France and Britain, as it seems, have been and always will be rivals.

England also looks to the Continent of Africa to increase her power.

To Be Continued...