Build up to the Franco-Prussian 1870

Franco-Prussian relations:

• things were generally looking up for Prussia and Bismarck;
  - Britian welcomes the new dominant Prussia as it counter-balanced with France and Russia
  - Russia seemed happy at their new friend against Austria
• but the only problem was France and its strength
• following the Austro-Prussian war in 1866 and the Treaty of Prague, Prussia gained more territory and France became jealous at how Prussia were quickly becoming an influential country within Europe

Luxemburg Crisis: 1867

• Napoleon became interested in acquiring Luxemburg to assert France's influence in Europe again
• Bismarck initially supported Napoleon and his want to annex the place
• he even persuaded the King of Netherlands (also Duke of Luxemburg), who was short on…