On 28 January 1871 Paris surrendered to the Prussians ending the Franco-Prussian war. Paris, under siege for over four months, had been heavily bombarded. This photograph, with the Arc de Triomphe in the distance, shows the destruction along the Champs-Elysees. The exact date is unknown, but it is thought to have been taken during the Paris Commune in March 1871.
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An impressive photo, Rob. I'm interested in the Franco-Prussian War and the time of the Paris Commune, even more so after seeing the "Wall of the Communards" in Pere Lachaise.
ReplyDeleteItaly, just proclaimed in 1861, had taken advantage of the defeat of the French in the face of Prussia to attack and conquer Rome.
ReplyDeleteThe Papal States, which in those years were protected by the French, came to an end after about 1100 years.
Historically, the Paris Commune can be considered the first experience of a communist rule in our old continent.
Great image - interesting history @ Gio Ve - Thanks!
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