The German states proclaimed their union as the German Empire under the Prussian king, Wilhelm I, uniting Germany as a nation-state. The Treaty of Frankfurt of 10 May 1871 gave Germany most of Alsace and some parts of Lorraine, which became the Imperial territory of Alsace-Lorraine (Reichsland Elsa-Lothringen).The German conquest of France and the unification of Germany upset the European balance of power, that had existed since the Congress of Vienna in 1815 and Otto von Bismarck maintained great authority in international affairs for two decades. French determination to regain Alsace-Lorraine and fear of another Franco-German war, along with British apprehension about the balance of power, became factors in the causes of World War I.

The Ems telegram had exactly the effect on French public opinion that Bismarck had intended. "This text produced the effect of a red flag on the Gallic bull", Bismarck later wrote. Gramont, the French foreign minister, declared that he felt "he had just received a slap". The leader of the monarchists in Parliament, Adolphe Thiers, spoke for moderation, arguing that France had won the diplomatic battle and there was no reason for war, but he was drowned out by cries that he was a traitor and a Prussian. Napoleon's new prime minister, Emile Ollivier, declared that France had done all that it could humanly and honorably do to prevent the war, and that he accepted the responsibility "with a light heart." A crowd of 1520,000 people, carrying flags and patriotic banners, marched through the streets of Paris, demanding war. On 19 July 1870 a declaration of war was sent to the Prussian government. The southern German states immediately sided with Prussia. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. Under which leader were German states united?
2. When was the Treaty of Frankfurt signed?
3. What did the Treaty give to Germany?
4. Who had those areas belonged to?
5. How did the British feel about Germany taking those areas?
6. Who was the French foreign minister at this time?
7. And who was the leader of the monarchists?
8. Did Thiers support war?
9. Did people in parliament support Thiers?
10. What did they call him?
11. Who was Napoleon's Prime Minister?
12. Was he bothered about supporting war?
13. How many people marched to support a war?
14. Where did they walk?
15. Were they empty-handed?
16. What did they carry?
17. Which war was all of this leading up to?
18. Did all of this have implications for the rest of the world?
Answer: 1. Prussian king, Wilhelm I
2. 10 May 1871
3. most of Alsace and some parts of Lorraine
4. France
5. apprehensive
6. Gramont
7. Adolphe Thiers
8. no
9. no
10. a traitor and a Prussian
11. Emile Ollivier
12. no
13. 1520,000 people
14. through the streets of Paris
15. no
16. flags and patriotic banners
17. a war with Prussia
18. yes

CHAPTER XXV

"I would do it now"

Though it was rumoured all over London that the Duke of Omnium was dying, his Grace had been dressed and taken out of his bed-chamber into a sitting-room, when Madame Goesler was brought into his presence by Lady Glencora Palliser. He was reclining in a great arm-chair, with his legs propped up on cushions, and a respectable old lady in a black silk gown and a very smart cap was attending to his wants. The respectable old lady took her departure when the younger ladies entered the room, whispering a word of instruction to Lady Glencora as she went. "His Grace should have his broth at half-past four, my lady, and a glass and a half of champagne. His Grace won't drink his wine out of a tumbler, so perhaps your ladyship won't mind giving it him at twice."

"Marie has come," said Lady Glencora.

"I knew she would come," said the old man, turning his head round slowly on the back of his chair. "I knew she would be good to me to the last." And he laid his withered hand on the arm of his chair, so that the woman whose presence gratified him might take it within hers and comfort him.

"Of course I have come," said Madame Goesler, standing close by him and putting her left arm very lightly on his shoulder. It was all that she could do for him, but it was in order that she might do this that she had been summoned from London to his side. He was wan and worn and pale,--a man evidently dying, the oil of whose lamp was all burned out; but still as he turned his eyes up to the woman's face there was a remnant of that look of graceful faineant nobility which had always distinguished him. He had never done any good, but he had always carried himself like a duke, and like a duke he carried himself to the end. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. Who is ill?
2. Who visited him?
3. Who was she introduced by?
4. What is Goesler's first name?
5. Where did she come from?
6. Was she asked to come to the duke?
7. How does the duke look?
8. Was he expecting this visitor?
9. Was the duke a kind man?
10. Has he eaten already?
Answer:
1. the Duke of Omnium
2. Madame Goesler
3. Lady Glencora Palliser.
4. Marie
5. from London
6. yes
7. wan and worn and pale
8. yes
9. no
10. no