The battle of Sedan in 1870 was to prove to be the decisive battle of the Franco-Prussian war and effectively witnessed the capitulation of France to Germany. The resulting abdication of Napoleon III and end of the second empire resulted in a power vacuum. IN response to this a general election (with universal male suffrage) was called in January 1871 which saw monarchist candidates winning huge support from the provinces. The result of this was the formation …showed first 75 words of 1480 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1480 total…view that nationalism as opposed to socialism was the inspiration for the Commune. However the importance of its legacy cannot be overlooked. The Commune has long since been idolised Bibliography: 1.<Tab/>R. Tombs, ?The Paris Commune 1871? (Longman, London, 1999) 2.<Tab/>R. Magraw, ?France 1815-1914, The Bourgeoisie Century? (Fontana Press, London, 1983) 3.<Tab/>W.H.C Smith, ?Second Empire and the Commune, France 1848-1871? (Longman, London, 1985)