Last Monarch Overthrown in Franco-Prussian War

Napoleon III, the last monarch of France, was overthrown during the Franco-Prussian War, a conflict that significantly altered the political landscape of Europe. The war began as a result of rising tensions between France and Prussia, primarily fueled by disputes over territorial claims and the balance of power in Europe. The conflict escalated when Prussia, under Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, sought to unify the German states under its leadership, which posed a direct threat to French interests. The war saw a series of military engagements, culminating in the decisive Battle of Sedan, where French forces were defeated, leading to the capture of Napoleon III. This defeat not only marked the end of his reign but also the collapse of the Second French Empire, which had been established in 1852. Following his capture, a provisional government was formed in France, which declared the establishment of the Third Republic, signaling a shift from monarchy to republicanism in French governance.