The task of organizing the U.S. Army commenced in 1775. In the first one hundred years of its existence, the United States Army was maintained as a small peacetime force to man permanent forts and perform other non-wartime duties such as engineering and construction works. During times of war, the U.S. Army was augmented by the much larger United States Volunteers which were raised independently by various state governments. States also maintained full-time militias which could also be called into the service of the army.

What year was the U.S. army organized?

What group combined with the U.S. Army?

United States Volunteers

Who raised the United States Volunteers?

various state governments

What year was the Canadian army organized?

I'm not sure.

What group combined with the U.S. Navy?

I'm not sure.

Who dismantled the United States Volunteers?

I'm not sure.

What did cities maintain full-time?

I'm not sure.

What is also called into the service of the Navy?

I'm not sure.


The United States Army is made up of three components: the active component, the Regular Army; and two reserve components, the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve. Both reserve components are primarily composed of part-time soldiers who train once a month, known as battle assemblies or unit training assemblies (UTAs), and conduct two to three weeks of annual training each year. Both the Regular Army and the Army Reserve are organized under Title 10 of the United States Code, while the National Guard is organized under Title 32. While the Army National Guard is organized, trained and equipped as a component of the U.S. Army, when it is not in federal service it is under the command of individual state and territorial governors; the District of Columbia National Guard, however, reports to the U.S. President, not the district's mayor, even when not federalized. Any or all of the National Guard can be federalized by presidential order and against the governor's wishes.

What is the active component of the U.S. Army?

Regular Army

What are the two reserve components of the U.S. Army?

Army National Guard and the Army Reserve

What are UTAs?

unit training assemblies

The U.S. Army is organized under what title of the United States Code?

Who does the D.C. National Guard report to?

the U.S. President

What is the inactive component of the U.S. Army?

I'm not sure.

What are the two reserve components of the U.S. Navy?

I'm not sure.

The U.S. Army is organized under what title of the United Nations Code?

I'm not sure.

Who does the D.C. National Navy report to?

I'm not sure.


Following their basic and advanced training at the individual-level, soldiers may choose to continue their training and apply for an "additional skill identifier" (ASI). The ASI allows the army to take a wide ranging MOS and focus it into a more specific MOS. For example, a combat medic, whose duties are to provide pre-hospital emergency treatment, may receive ASI training to become a cardiovascular specialist, a dialysis specialist, or even a licensed practical nurse. For commissioned officers, ASI training includes pre-commissioning training either at USMA, or via ROTC, or by completing OCS. After commissioning, officers undergo branch specific training at the Basic Officer Leaders Course, (formerly called Officer Basic Course), which varies in time and location according their future assignments. Further career development is available through the Army Correspondence Course Program.

What does ASI stand for?

additional skill identifier

What is are combat medics duties?

provide pre-hospital emergency treatment

Where do the officers go to complete their branch specific training?

Basic Officer Leaders Course

If the officers want to advance their careers even further, where is that available?

Army Correspondence Course Program

What does ISI stand for?

I'm not sure.

Where do ensigns go to complete their branch specific training?

I'm not sure.

Where does post-commissioning training take place?

I'm not sure.

What does ISi training is offered?

I'm not sure.


The army has relied heavily on tents to provide the various facilities needed while on deployment. The most common tent uses for the military are as temporary barracks (sleeping quarters), DFAC buildings (dining facilities), forward operating bases (FOBs), after action review (AAR), tactical operations center (TOC), morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) facilities, and security checkpoints. Furthermore, most of these tents are set up and operated through the support of Natick Soldier Systems Center.

What does the army use for facilities while they are deployed?

tents

What are the barracks used for?

sleeping quarters

Where are the dining facilities called?

DFAC buildings

What does FOB stand for?

forward operating bases

What is the abbreviation for a tactical operations center?

TOC

What does the Coast Guard use for facilities while they are deployed?

I'm not sure.

What are DFAC ships used for?

I'm not sure.

What does FAB stand for?

I'm not sure.

Where are horses stabled?

I'm not sure.

Who dismantles tents?

I'm not sure.


The American Civil War was the costliest war for the U.S. in terms of casualties. After most slave states, located in the southern U.S., formed the Confederate States, C.S. troops led by former U.S. Army officers, mobilized a very large fraction of Southern white manpower. Forces of the United States (the "Union" or "the North") formed the Union Army consisting of a small body of regular army units and a large body of volunteer units raised from every state, north and south, except South Carolina.[citation needed]

Which war had the most U.S. casualties associated with it?

The American Civil War

What were the U.S. forces referred to as?

the "Union" or "the North"

What state did not contribute any troops to the Union Army?

South Carolina

Which war had the least U.S. casualties with it?

I'm not sure.

What were the Southern forces referred to as?

I'm not sure.

What state contributed the most troops to the Union Army?

I'm not sure.

What was the least expensive war for the U.S.?

I'm not sure.


Starting in 1910, the army began acquiring fixed-wing aircraft. In 1910, Mexico was having a civil war, peasant rebels fighting government soldiers. The army was deployed to American towns near the border to ensure safety to lives and property. In 1916, Pancho Villa, a major rebel leader, attacked Columbus, New Mexico, prompting a U.S. intervention in Mexico until 7 February 1917. They fought the rebels and the Mexican federal troops until 1918. The United States joined World War I in 1917 on the side of Britain, France, Russia, Italy and other allies. U.S. troops were sent to the Western Front and were involved in the last offensives that ended the war. With the armistice in November 1918, the army once again decreased its forces.

In what year did the army start using fixed-wing aircraft?

Who attacked New Mexico in 1916?

Pancho Villa

What year did the U.S. join World War I?

What date did the U.S. intervention in New Mexico end?

7 February 1917

What year did the army start the left-wing aircraft?

I'm not sure.

Who surrendered New Mexico in 1916?

I'm not sure.

What year did the Chinese join World War I?

I'm not sure.

What date did the U.S. intervention in New York end?

I'm not sure.


During the 1960s the Department of Defense continued to scrutinize the reserve forces and to question the number of divisions and brigades as well as the redundancy of maintaining two reserve components, the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve. In 1967 Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara decided that 15 combat divisions in the Army National Guard were unnecessary and cut the number to 8 divisions (1 mechanized infantry, 2 armored, and 5 infantry), but increased the number of brigades from 7 to 18 (1 airborne, 1 armored, 2 mechanized infantry, and 14 infantry). The loss of the divisions did not set well with the states. Their objections included the inadequate maneuver element mix for those that remained and the end to the practice of rotating divisional commands among the states that supported them. Under the proposal, the remaining division commanders were to reside in the state of the division base. No reduction, however, in total Army National Guard strength was to take place, which convinced the governors to accept the plan. The states reorganized their forces accordingly between 1 December 1967 and 1 May 1968.

Who was the Secretary of Defense in 1967?

Robert McNamara

How many divisions did the Secretary of Defense cut the original 15 down to?

How many brigades did the Secretary of Defense increase the number to?

Who was the President of Defense in 1967?

I'm not sure.

How many division did the Secretary of Defense cut the original 10 down to?

I'm not sure.

How many brigades did the Secretary of Defense decrease the number to?

I'm not sure.

What suggestions did the states have regarding increase of division?

I'm not sure.

What year did the federal government reorganize their forces?

I'm not sure.


On September 11, 2001, 53 Army civilians (47 employees and six contractors) and 22 soldiers were among the 125 victims killed in the Pentagon in a terrorist attack when American Airlines Flight 77 commandeered by five Al-Qaeda hijackers slammed into the western side of the building, as part of the September 11 attacks. Lieutenant General Timothy Maude was the highest-ranking military official killed at the Pentagon, and the most senior U.S. Army officer killed by foreign action since the death of Lieutenant General Simon B. Buckner, Jr. on June 18, 1945, in the Battle of Okinawa during World War II.

How many victims were killed in the attack on the Pentagon?

What aircraft was hijacked?

American Airlines Flight 77

Did they crash into the eastern or wester part of the Pentagon.

west

Who was the highest ranking official killed in the attack?

Lieutenant General Timothy Maude

How many victims were killed in the attack of the White House?

I'm not sure.

What aircraft was released by terrorists?

I'm not sure.

Did the plane crash into the eastern or western part of the White HOuse?

I'm not sure.

Who was the lowest ranking official killed in the attack?

I'm not sure.


The army is also changing its base unit from divisions to brigades. Division lineage will be retained, but the divisional headquarters will be able to command any brigade, not just brigades that carry their divisional lineage. The central part of this plan is that each brigade will be modular, i.e., all brigades of the same type will be exactly the same, and thus any brigade can be commanded by any division. As specified before the 2013 end-strength re-definitions, the three major types of ground combat brigades are:

What is the army replacing divisions with?

brigades

How will the brigades be structured?

modular

Who can command any brigade?

divisional headquarters

What is the Coast Guard replacing divisions with?

I'm not sure.

How will the brigades be deconstructed?

I'm not sure.

Who can command any branch of the Army?

I'm not sure.

What is being dismissed?

I'm not sure.


The army employs various individual weapons to provide light firepower at short ranges. The most common weapons used by the army are the compact variant of the M16 rifle, the M4 carbine, as well as the 7.62×51mm variant of the FN SCAR for Army Rangers. The primary sidearm in the U.S. Army is the 9 mm M9 pistol; the M11 pistol is also used. Both handguns are to be replaced through the Modular Handgun System program. Soldiers are also equiped with various hand grenades, such as the M67 fragmentation grenade and M18 smoke grenade.

What is the primary sidearm used by the U.S. Army?

9 mm M9 pistol

What type of frag grenade is used by the U.S. Army?

The M18 is a type of what kind of grenade?

smoke

Through what system are handguns being replacedby the U.S. Army?

Modular Handgun System

What is the primary sidearm used by the Coast Guard?

I'm not sure.

What type of frag grenade is used by the Coast Guard?

I'm not sure.

What type of grenade is the M17?

I'm not sure.

What system is replacing hats in the U.S. Army?

I'm not sure.

What are the most common weapons used by the Navy?

I'm not sure.


The army's most common vehicle is the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), commonly called the Humvee, which is capable of serving as a cargo/troop carrier, weapons platform, and ambulance, among many other roles. While they operate a wide variety of combat support vehicles, one of the most common types centers on the family of HEMTT vehicles. The M1A2 Abrams is the army's main battle tank, while the M2A3 Bradley is the standard infantry fighting vehicle. Other vehicles include the Stryker, and the M113 armored personnel carrier, and multiple types of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

What does HMMWV stand for?

High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle

What is the HMMWV also known as?

Humvee

The M1A2 Abrams is an example of what?

battle tank

What does MRAP stand for?

Mine Resistant Ambush Protected

What does HMMWA stand for?

I'm not sure.

What is the HMMWA also known as?

I'm not sure.

What does MRAA stand for?

I'm not sure.

What is the least common type of combat support vehicles?

I'm not sure.


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 Elsaß-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.

Under what Prussian king did the German empire unite as a nation-state?

Wilhelm I

What was the date of the Treaty of Frankfurt?

10 May 1871

The Treaty of Frankfurt gave Germany which Imperial territory?

Alsace-Lorraine

Following the unification of Germany, who maintained great authority in international affairs for two decades?

Otto von Bismarck

Which specific fear was a factor in causing World War I?

another Franco-German war


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 15–20,000 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 telegram had the intended effect on French public opinion?

Ems telegram

Following the Ems telegram, what reaction did the French foreign minister report that he felt?

he felt "he had just received a slap"

In Parliament, who was the leader of the monarchists?

Adolphe Thiers

Which French prime minister believed he had done all that he could to prevent a war?

Emile Ollivier

On which date did France issue a declaration of war to the Prussian government?

19 July 1870


The army was still equipped with the Dreyse needle gun of Battle of Königgrätz fame, which was by this time showing the age of its 25-year-old design. The rifle had a range of only 600 m (2,000 ft) and lacked the rubber breech seal that permitted aimed shots. The deficiencies of the needle gun were more than compensated for by the famous Krupp 6-pounder (3 kg) steel breech-loading cannons being issued to Prussian artillery batteries. Firing a contact-detonated shell, the Krupp gun had a longer range and a higher rate of fire than the French bronze muzzle loading cannon, which relied on faulty time fuses.

In which battle did the Dreyse needle gun gain its fame?

Battle of Königgrätz

At the start of the Franco-Prussian War, what was the age of the Dreyse gun's design?

25-year-old design

What was the Dreyse rifle's tactical range?

600 m (2,000 ft)

What was the name of the famous cannon issued to Prussian soldiers at the time?

Krupp

What type of shell did the Krupp weapon fire?

a contact-detonated shell


The first action of the Franco-Prussian War took place on 4 August 1870. This battle saw the unsupported division of General Douay of I Corps, with some attached cavalry, which was posted to watch the border, attacked in overwhelming but uncoordinated fashion by the German 3rd Army. During the day, elements of a Bavarian and two Prussian corps became engaged and were aided by Prussian artillery, which blasted holes in the defenses of the town. Douay held a very strong position initially, thanks to the accurate long-range fire of the Chassepots but his force was too thinly stretched to hold it. Douay was killed in the late morning when a caisson of the divisional mitrailleuse battery exploded near him; the encirclement of the town by the Prussians threatened the French avenue of retreat.

What was the date of the first action of the Franco-Prussian War?

4 August 1870

On that date, which elements were assisted by Prussian artillery forces?

Bavarian and two Prussian corps

Who initially held a strong position during the battle at the border?

General Douay of I Corps

Douay's initial success was credited by what?

long-range fire of the Chassepots

What threatened the French avenue of retreat?

the encirclement of the town by the Prussians


The French were unaware of German numerical superiority at the beginning of the battle as the German 2nd Army did not attack all at once. Treating the oncoming attacks as merely skirmishes, Frossard did not request additional support from other units. By the time he realized what kind of a force he was opposing, it was too late. Seriously flawed communications between Frossard and those in reserve under Bazaine slowed down so much that by the time the reserves received orders to move out to Spicheren, German soldiers from the 1st and 2nd armies had charged up the heights. Because the reserves had not arrived, Frossard erroneously believed that he was in grave danger of being outflanked as German soldiers under General von Glume were spotted in Forbach. Instead of continuing to defend the heights, by the close of battle after dusk he retreated to the south. The German casualties were relatively high due to the advance and the effectiveness of the chassepot rifle. They were quite startled in the morning when they had found out that their efforts were not in vain—Frossard had abandoned his position on the heights.

What factor were the French unaware of at the start of the battle?

German numerical superiority

Which French commander miscalculated the severity of the battle?

Frossard

What was a key factor in Frossard's disasterous retreat to the south?

Seriously flawed communications

What factor was credited to the large number of German casualties?

effectiveness of the chassepot rifle

What outcome surprised the Germans the following day?

Frossard had abandoned his position


The Battle of Gravelotte, or Gravelotte–St. Privat (18 August), was the largest battle during the Franco-Prussian War. It was fought about 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Metz, where on the previous day, having intercepted the French army's retreat to the west at the Battle of Mars-La-Tour, the Prussians were now closing in to complete the destruction of the French forces. The combined German forces, under Field Marshal Count Helmuth von Moltke, were the Prussian First and Second Armies of the North German Confederation numbering about 210 infantry battalions, 133 cavalry squadrons, and 732 heavy cannons totaling 188,332 officers and men. The French Army of the Rhine, commanded by Marshal François-Achille Bazaine, numbering about 183 infantry battalions, 104 cavalry squadrons, backed by 520 heavy cannons, totaling 112,800 officers and men, dug in along high ground with their southern left flank at the town of Rozerieulles, and their northern right flank at St. Privat.

On which date was the Battle of Gravelotte?

18 August

Which battle was considered the biggest in the war?

The Battle of Gravelotte

Where was the location of the Battle of Gravelotte?

6 miles (9.7 km) west of Metz

Under which Field Marshall were the combined German forces commanded?

Count Helmuth von Moltke

Who commanded the French Army of the Rhine?

Marshal François-Achille Bazaine


With the defeat of Marshal Bazaine's Army of the Rhine at Gravelotte, the French were forced to retire to Metz, where they were besieged by over 150,000 Prussian troops of the First and Second Armies. Napoleon III and MacMahon formed the new French Army of Châlons, to march on to Metz to rescue Bazaine. Napoleon III personally led the army with Marshal MacMahon in attendance. The Army of Châlons marched northeast towards the Belgian border to avoid the Prussians before striking south to link up with Bazaine. The Prussians, under the command of Field Marshal Count Helmuth von Moltke, took advantage of this maneuver to catch the French in a pincer grip. He left the Prussian First and Second Armies besieging Metz, except three corps detached to form the Army of the Meuse under the Crown Prince of Saxony. With this army and the Prussian Third Army, Moltke marched northward and caught up with the French at Beaumont on 30 August. After a sharp fight in which they lost 5,000 men and 40 cannons, the French withdrew toward Sedan. Having reformed in the town, the Army of Châlons was immediately isolated by the converging Prussian armies. Napoleon III ordered the army to break out of the encirclement immediately. With MacMahon wounded on the previous day, General Auguste Ducrot took command of the French troops in the field.

What factor forced the French to retreat to Metz?

the defeat of Marshal Bazaine's Army

At Metz, what was the approximate number of Prussian troops?

over 150,000

Who formed the new French Army of Chalons?

Napoleon III and MacMahon

Along with the Army of the Meuse, what other army did Moltke march north with?

the Prussian Third Army

How many casualties did Moltke suffer at Beaumont?

5,000 men


When the war had begun, European public opinion heavily favored the Germans; many Italians attempted to sign up as volunteers at the Prussian embassy in Florence and a Prussian diplomat visited Giuseppe Garibaldi in Caprera. Bismarck's demand for the return of Alsace caused a dramatic shift in that sentiment in Italy, which was best exemplified by the reaction of Garibaldi soon after the revolution in Paris, who told the Movimento of Genoa on 7 September 1870 that "Yesterday I said to you: war to the death to Bonaparte. Today I say to you: rescue the French Republic by every means." Garibaldi went to France and assumed command of the Army of the Vosges, with which he operated around Dijon till the end of the war.

At the start of the war, which country did European public opinion champion?

the Germans

In which city did many Italians attempt to proffer their services to the Prussian embassy?

Florence

What caused a dramatic shift in Italian sentiment toward the war?

Bismarck's demand for the return of Alsace

To whom is the quote, "Rescue the French Republic by every means" attributed?

Garibaldi

What army did Garibaldi gain command of in France?

the Army of the Vosges


On 10 October, hostilities began between German and French republican forces near Orléans. At first, the Germans were victorious but the French drew reinforcements and defeated the Germans at the Battle of Coulmiers on 9 November. After the surrender of Metz, more than 100,000 well-trained and experienced German troops joined the German 'Southern Army'. The French were forced to abandon Orléans on 4 December, and were finally defeated at the Battle of Le Mans (10–12 January). A second French army which operated north of Paris was turned back at the Battle of Amiens (27 November), the Battle of Bapaume (3 January 1871) and the Battle of St. Quentin (13 January).

On which date did hostilities between the German and French troops begin near Orleans?

10 October

Which side was initially successful at the Battle of Coulmiers?

the Germans

On which date did the French triump over the Germans at the Battle of Coulmiers?

9 November

On which date were the French forced to abandon Orleans?

4 December

Of the three battles that occured north of Paris, which was the first that forced the French army to retreat?

Battle of Amiens


Although public opinion in Paris was strongly against any form of surrender or concession to the Prussians, the Government realised that it could not hold the city for much longer, and that Gambetta's provincial armies would probably never break through to relieve Paris. President Trochu resigned on 25 January and was replaced by Favre, who signed the surrender two days later at Versailles, with the armistice coming into effect at midnight. Several sources claim that in his carriage on the way back to Paris, Favre broke into tears, and collapsed into his daughter's arms as the guns around Paris fell silent at midnight. At Tours, Gambetta received word from Paris on 30 January that the Government had surrendered. Furious, he refused to surrender and launched an immediate attack on German forces at Orleans which, predictably, failed. A delegation of Parisian diplomats arrived in Tours by train on 5 February to negotiate with Gambetta, and the following day Gambetta stepped down and surrendered control of the provincial armies to the Government of National Defence, which promptly ordered a cease-fire across France.

What was public opinion in Paris strongly opposed to?

any form of surrender

On what date did president Trochu resign?

25 January

Who replaced President Trochu?

Favre

In which French city was the surrender made official?

Versailles

Who disregarded the surrender and launched a failed attack on the Germans?

Gambetta


The quick German victory over the French stunned neutral observers, many of whom had expected a French victory and most of whom had expected a long war. The strategic advantages possessed by the Germans were not appreciated outside Germany until after hostilities had ceased. Other countries quickly discerned the advantages given to the Germans by their military system, and adopted many of their innovations, particularly the General Staff, universal conscription and highly detailed mobilization systems.

What stunned neutral observers about the end of the war?

The quick German victory

What outcome had most people expected from the war?

French victory

Whose strategic advantages were not appreciated until after the war over?

the Germans

What German advantages were discerned by other countries in the aftermath?

their military system

What is at least one German innovation that other countries would later adopt in other wars?

highly detailed mobilization systems


The effect of these differences was accentuated by the pre-war preparations. The Prussian General Staff had drawn up minutely detailed mobilization plans using the railway system, which in turn had been partly laid out in response to recommendations of a Railway Section within the General Staff. The French railway system, with multiple competing companies, had developed purely from commercial pressures and many journeys to the front in Alsace and Lorraine involved long diversions and frequent changes between trains. Furthermore, no system had been put in place for military control of the railways, and officers simply commandeered trains as they saw fit. Rail sidings and marshalling yards became choked with loaded wagons, with nobody responsible for unloading them or directing them to the destination.

The effect of German victory and ensuing influence stems back to what factor?

pre-war preparations

What was the Prussian General staff quick to utilize at the onset of the war?

detailed mobilization plans using the railway system

What was one factor behind the inefficiency of the French railway system?

multiple competing companies

What factor especially affected travel to the front in Alsace and Lorraine?

frequent changes between trains

Who was responsible for dealing with chaotic train yards and unloaded wagons?

nobody


At the Battle of Mars-la-Tours, the Prussian 12th Cavalry Brigade, commanded by General Adalbert von Bredow, conducted a charge against a French artillery battery. The attack was a costly success and came to be known as "von Bredow's Death Ride", which was held to prove that cavalry charges could still prevail on the battlefield. Use of traditional cavalry on the battlefields of 1914 proved to be disastrous, due to accurate, long-range rifle fire, machine-guns and artillery. Von Bredow's attack had succeeded only because of an unusually effective artillery bombardment just before the charge, along with favorable terrain that masked his approach.

Who commanded the Prussian 12 Cavalry Brigade?

General Adalbert von Bredow

What did General von Bredow lead a charge against at the Battle of Mars-la-Tour?

a French artillery battery

What did von Bredow's Pyrrhic victory become known as?

von Bredow's Death Ride

What military tactic proved to be unsuccessful on the 1914 battlefields?

Use of traditional cavalry

What was one of two factors that led von Bredow's narrow success on the battlefield?

favorable terrain that masked his approach


In the Prussian province of Posen, with a large Polish population, there was strong support for the French and angry demonstrations at news of Prussian-German victories—a clear manifestation of Polish nationalist feeling. Calls were also made for Polish recruits to desert from the Prussian Army—though these went mainly unheeded. An alarming report on the Posen situation, sent to Bismarck on 16 August 1870, led to the quartering of reserve troop contingents in the restive province. The Franco-Prussian War thus turned out to be a significant event also in German–Polish relations, marking the beginning of a prolonged period of repressive measures by the authorities and efforts at Germanisation.

In which Prussian province did a large Polish population reside?

Posen

What was there strong support of in Posen?

the French

What calls were made for the Polish recruits?

to desert from the Prussian Army

On what date did Bismarkck receive the disturbing report on the Posen situation?

16 August 1870

What significant consequence was a result of German-Polish relations?

prolonged period of repressive measures


The causes of the Franco-Prussian War are deeply rooted in the events surrounding the unification of Germany. In the aftermath of the Austro–Prussian War of 1866, Prussia had annexed numerous territories and formed the North German Confederation. This new power destabilized the European balance of power established by the Congress of Vienna in 1815 after the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon III, then the emperor of France, demanded compensations in Belgium and on the left bank of the Rhine to secure France's strategic position, which the Prussian chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, flatly refused. Prussia then turned its attention towards the south of Germany, where it sought to incorporate the southern German kingdoms, Bavaria, Württemberg, Baden and Hesse-Darmstadt, into a unified Prussia-dominated Germany. France was strongly opposed to any further alliance of German states, which would have significantly strengthened the Prussian military.

What are the causes of the Franco-Prussian War deeply rooted in?

the unification of Germany

In the aftermath of the Austro-Prussian war, formed what group?

North German Confederation

What was the effect of that new group on the European balance of power?

new power destabilized

What established the European balance of power in 1815?

the Congress of Vienna

As Prussia sought to incorporated several German kingdoms, what stance did France assume?

strongly opposed to any further alliance of German states


The French Army consisted in peacetime of approximately 400,000 soldiers, some of them regulars, others conscripts who until 1869 served the comparatively long period of seven years with the colours. Some of them were veterans of previous French campaigns in the Crimean War, Algeria, the Franco-Austrian War in Italy, and in the Franco-Mexican War. However, following the "Seven Weeks War" between Prussia and Austria four years earlier, it had been calculated that the French Army could field only 288,000 men to face the Prussian Army when perhaps 1,000,000 would be required. Under Marshal Adolphe Niel, urgent reforms were made. Universal conscription (rather than by ballot, as previously) and a shorter period of service gave increased numbers of reservists, who would swell the army to a planned strength of 800,000 on mobilisation. Those who for any reason were not conscripted were to be enrolled in the Garde Mobile, a militia with a nominal strength of 400,000. However, the Franco-Prussian War broke out before these reforms could be completely implemented. The mobilisation of reservists was chaotic and resulted in large numbers of stragglers, while the Garde Mobile were generally untrained and often mutinous.

In peacetime, what the approximate number of French soldiers?

Veterans of the French Army had prviously fought in which war in Italy?

the Franco-Austrian War

The "Seven Weeks War" was between which two countries?

Prussia and Austria

Who reformed the low numbers of troops by implementing universal conscription?

Marshal Adolphe Niel

If a citizen was for some reason not conscripted, in what militia were they were registered?

the Garde Mobile


The Prussian army was controlled by the General Staff, under Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke. The Prussian army was unique in Europe for having the only such organisation in existence, whose purpose in peacetime was to prepare the overall war strategy, and in wartime to direct operational movement and organise logistics and communications. The officers of the General Staff were hand-picked from the Prussian Kriegsakademie (War Academy). Moltke embraced new technology, particularly the railroad and telegraph, to coordinate and accelerate mobilisation of large forces.

What entity controlled the Prussian army?

the General Staff

Who commanded the General Staff?

Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke

What was the unique purpose of the Prussian Army during peacetime?

to prepare the overall war strategy

The officers of the General Staff were hand-selected from which place?

Prussian Kriegsakademie (War Academy)

What new technologies in particular were courted by Moltke?

the railroad and telegraph


General Frossard's II Corps and Marshal Bazaine's III Corps crossed the German border on 2 August, and began to force the Prussian 40th Regiment of the 16th Infantry Division from the town of Saarbrücken with a series of direct attacks. The Chassepot rifle proved its worth against the Dreyse rifle, with French riflemen regularly outdistancing their Prussian counterparts in the skirmishing around Saarbrücken. However the Prussians resisted strongly, and the French suffered 86 casualties to the Prussian 83 casualties. Saarbrücken also proved to be a major obstacle in terms of logistics. Only one railway there led to the German hinterland but could be easily defended by a single force, and the only river systems in the region ran along the border instead of inland. While the French hailed the invasion as the first step towards the Rhineland and later Berlin, General Le Bœuf and Napoleon III were receiving alarming reports from foreign news sources of Prussian and Bavarian armies massing to the southeast in addition to the forces to the north and northeast.

On which date did Frossard's and Bazaines's troops cross the German border?

2 August

Which regiment did their respective corps force from the town of Saarbrucken?

the Prussian 40th Regiment of the 16th Infantry Division

What proved its worth against the Dreyse rifle?

The Chassepot rifle

How many casualties did the French suffer at Saarbrucken?

86 casualties

How many casualties did the Prussians suffer at Saarbrucken?

83 casualties


According to some historians, Bismarck adroitly created a diplomatic crisis over the succession to the Spanish throne, then edited a dispatch about a meeting between King William of Prussia and the French ambassador, to make it appear that the French had been insulted. The French press and parliament demanded a war, which the generals of Napoleon III assured him that France would win. Napoleon and his Prime Minister, Émile Ollivier, for their parts sought war to solve their problems with political disunity in France. On 16 July 1870, the French parliament voted to declare war on the German Kingdom of Prussia and hostilities began three days later. The German coalition mobilised its troops much more quickly than the French and rapidly invaded northeastern France. The German forces were superior in numbers, had better training and leadership and made more effective use of modern technology, particularly railroads and artillery.

What diplomatic crisis was Bismarck credited with skillfully creating?

succession to the Spanish throne

A dispatch was edited about a meeting between the French ambassador and what Prussian king?

King William

What was the purpose of editing the dispatch?

to make it appear that the French had been insulted

On which date did the French parliament vote to declare war on Prussia?

16 July 1870

Where did the quickly mobilised troops first invade in France?

northeastern France


The fighting within the town had become extremely intense, becoming a door to door battle of survival. Despite a never-ending attack of Prussian infantry, the soldiers of the 2nd Division kept to their positions. The people of the town of Wissembourg finally surrendered to the Germans. The French troops who did not surrender retreated westward, leaving behind 1,000 dead and wounded and another 1,000 prisoners and all of their remaining ammunition. The final attack by the Prussian troops also cost c. 1,000 casualties. The German cavalry then failed to pursue the French and lost touch with them. The attackers had an initial superiority of numbers, a broad deployment which made envelopment highly likely but the effectiveness of French Chassepot rifle-fire inflicted costly repulses on infantry attacks, until the French infantry had been extensively bombarded by the Prussian artillery.

Which town's people surrendered to the Germans?

Wissembourg

In which direction did the French troops who did not surrender head?

westward

How many dead troops leave behind?

1,000 dead

How many prisoners did the French leave behind?

1,000 prisoners

What weapon once again increased the effectiveness of the infantry attacks?

French Chassepot


The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War (German: Deutsch-Französischer Krieg, lit. German-French War, French: Guerre franco-allemande, lit. Franco-German War), often referred to in France as the War of 1870 (19 July 1870 – 10 May 1871), was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the German states of the North German Confederation led by the Kingdom of Prussia. The conflict was caused by Prussian ambitions to extend German unification. Some historians argue that the Prussian chancellor Otto von Bismarck planned to provoke a French attack in order to draw the southern German states—Baden, Württemberg, Bavaria and Hesse-Darmstadt—into an alliance with the North German Confederation dominated by Prussia, while others contend that Bismarck did not plan anything and merely exploited the circumstances as they unfolded.

What is the Franco-Prussian War also known as?

Franco-German War

What was the war often referred to in France as?

the War of 1870

In the conflict, who lead the German states of the North German Confederation?

the Kingdom of Prussia

Whose ambitions are credited with causing the conflict?

Prussian ambitions

Which Prussian chancellor's motives in the conflict are still disputed?

Otto von Bismarck


The immediate cause of the war resided in the candidacy of a Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, a Prussian prince, to the throne of Spain. France feared encirclement by an alliance between Prussia and Spain. The Hohenzollern prince's candidacy was withdrawn under French diplomatic pressure, but Otto von Bismarck goaded the French into declaring war by altering a telegram sent by William I. Releasing the Ems Dispatch to the public, Bismarck made it sound as if the king had treated the French envoy in a demeaning fashion, which inflamed public opinion in France.

In whose cadidacy did the immediate cause of war reside?

Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen

What did France fear by an alliance between Prussia and Spain?

encirclement

Who goaded the French into war by editing a telegram sent by William I?

Otto von Bismarck

What was the name of the famous telelgram?

Ems Dispatch

What was the reaction of the French people to the deceptively crafted offense in the Ems Dispatch?

inflamed public opinion


The Battle of Wörth (also known as Fröschwiller or Reichshoffen) began when the two armies clashed again on 6 August near Wörth in the town of Fröschwiller, about 10 miles (16 km) from Wissembourg. The Crown Prince of Prussia's 3rd army had, on the quick reaction of his Chief of Staff General von Blumenthal, drawn reinforcements which brought its strength up to 140,000 troops. The French had been slowly reinforced and their force numbered only 35,000. Although badly outnumbered, the French defended their position just outside Fröschwiller. By afternoon, the Germans had suffered c. 10,500 killed or wounded and the French had lost a similar number of casualties and another c. 9,200 men taken prisoner, a loss of about 50%. The Germans captured Fröschwiller which sat on a hilltop in the centre of the French line. Having lost any hope for victory and facing a massacre, the French army disengaged and retreated in a westerly direction towards Bitche and Saverne, hoping to join French forces on the other side of the Vosges mountains. The German 3rd army did not pursue the French but remained in Alsace and moved slowly south, attacking and destroying the French garrisons in the vicinity.

What battle began when two armies collided in the town of Froschwiller?

The Battle of Wörth

On what date did the Battle of Worth begin?

6 August

What was the estimated number of troops in Prussia's 3rd Army?

140,000 troops

What number of troops did France have to contend with?

Instead of pursuing the French as they retreated, the Germans decided to remain where?

Alsace


In Prussia, some officials considered a war against France both inevitable and necessary to arouse German nationalism in those states that would allow the unification of a great German empire. This aim was epitomized by Prussian Chancellor Otto von Bismarck's later statement: "I did not doubt that a Franco-German war must take place before the construction of a United Germany could be realised." Bismarck also knew that France should be the aggressor in the conflict to bring the southern German states to side with Prussia, hence giving Germans numerical superiority. Many Germans also viewed the French as the traditional destabilizer of Europe, and sought to weaken France to prevent further breaches of the peace.

In which country was a war against France condsidered desirable?

Prussia

What was the overarching Prussian motive in starting a war with France?

unification of a great German empire

Who had no doubts that a Franco-German war was totally necessary?

Chancellor Otto von Bismarck

Who did Bismarck feel needed to be viewed as the aggressor in the conflict?

France

In bringing the southern German states to align with Prussia, what tactical outcome was achieved?

Germans numerical superiority


On 18 August, the battle began when at 08:00 Moltke ordered the First and Second Armies to advance against the French positions. By 12:00, General Manstein opened up the battle before the village of Amanvillers with artillery from the 25th Infantry Division. But the French had spent the night and early morning digging trenches and rifle pits while placing their artillery and their mitrailleuses in concealed positions. Finally aware of the Prussian advance, the French opened up a massive return fire against the mass of advancing Germans. The battle at first appeared to favor the French with their superior Chassepot rifle. However, the Prussian artillery was superior with the all-steel Krupp breech-loading gun. By 14:30, General Steinmetz, the commander of the First Army, unilaterally launched his VIII Corps across the Mance Ravine in which the Prussian infantry were soon pinned down by murderous rifle and mitrailleuse fire from the French positions. At 15:00, the massed guns of the VII and VIII Corps opened fire to support the attack. But by 16:00, with the attack in danger of stalling, Steinmetz ordered the VII Corps forward, followed by the 1st Cavalry Division.

On what date did the battle begin?

18 August

Who order the First and Second armies to advance against the French?

Moltke

Which general opened the battle with artillery from the 25th Infantry Division?

General Manstein

Who did the battle first appear to favor?

the French

Who was the commander of the First Army?

General Steinmetz


French infantry were equipped with the breech-loading Chassepot rifle, one of the most modern mass-produced firearms in the world at the time. With a rubber ring seal and a smaller bullet, the Chassepot had a maximum effective range of some 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) with a short reloading time. French tactics emphasised the defensive use of the Chassepot rifle in trench-warfare style fighting—the so-called feu de bataillon. The artillery was equipped with rifled, muzzle-loaded La Hitte guns. The army also possessed a precursor to the machine-gun: the mitrailleuse, which could unleash significant, concentrated firepower but nevertheless lacked range and was comparatively immobile, and thus prone to being easily overrun. The mitrailleuse was mounted on an artillery gun carriage and grouped in batteries in a similar fashion to cannon.

What modern, mass-produced weapon were the French infantry provided?

Chassepot rifle

What was the maximum effective range of the Chassepot rifle?

1,500 metres (4,900 ft)

In which type of warfare did the French best utilize the Chassepot?

trench-warfare

What precedent of the machine gun did the French troops also possess?

the mitrailleuse

On what was the mitrailleuse mounted?

on an artillery gun carriage


On 1 September 1870, the battle opened with the Army of Châlons, with 202 infantry battalions, 80 cavalry squadrons and 564 guns, attacking the surrounding Prussian Third and Meuse Armies totaling 222 infantry battalions, 186 cavalry squadrons and 774 guns. General De Wimpffen, the commander of the French V Corps in reserve, hoped to launch a combined infantry and cavalry attack against the Prussian XI Corps. But by 11:00, Prussian artillery took a toll on the French while more Prussian troops arrived on the battlefield. The French cavalry, commanded by General Marguerite, launched three desperate attacks on the nearby village of Floing where the Prussian XI Corps was concentrated. Marguerite was killed leading the very first charge and the two additional charges led to nothing but heavy losses. By the end of the day, with no hope of breaking out, Napoleon III called off the attacks. The French lost over 17,000 men, killed or wounded, with 21,000 captured. The Prussians reported their losses at 2,320 killed, 5,980 wounded and 700 captured or missing. By the next day, on 2 September, Napoleon III surrendered and was taken prisoner with 104,000 of his soldiers. It was an overwhelming victory for the Prussians, for they not only captured an entire French army, but the leader of France as well. The defeat of the French at Sedan had decided the war in Prussia's favour. One French army was now immobilised and besieged in the city of Metz, and no other forces stood on French ground to prevent a German invasion. Nevertheless, the war would continue.

On which date did the battle begin with the Army of Chalons attacking various Prussian divisions?

1 September 1870

Who commanded the French V Corps in reserve?

General De Wimpffen

As the French were hard-hit by the Prussian artillery, what continued to show up to the battlefield?

more Prussian troops

Which commander of the French calvary led three desperate attacks on Floing?

General Marguerite

How many casualties did the French suffer?

over 17,000 men


A pre-war plan laid out by the late Marshal Niel called for a strong French offensive from Thionville towards Trier and into the Prussian Rhineland. This plan was discarded in favour of a defensive plan by Generals Charles Frossard and Bartélemy Lebrun, which called for the Army of the Rhine to remain in a defensive posture near the German border and repel any Prussian offensive. As Austria along with Bavaria, Württemberg and Baden were expected to join in a revenge war against Prussia, I Corps would invade the Bavarian Palatinate and proceed to "free" the South German states in concert with Austro-Hungarian forces. VI Corps would reinforce either army as needed.

Pre-war, who planned for a strong French offensive?

Marshal Niel

From Thionville towards Trier, what was the final destination of the offensive?

the Prussian Rhineland

Niel's plan was cast aside in favour of a plan by General Frossard and what other general??

Bartélemy Lebrun

The new plan called for which army to remain in a defensive grouping at the German border?

Army of the Rhine


On the French side, planning after the disaster at Wissembourg had become essential. General Le Bœuf, flushed with anger, was intent upon going on the offensive over the Saar and countering their loss. However, planning for the next encounter was more based upon the reality of unfolding events rather than emotion or pride, as Intendant General Wolff told him and his staff that supply beyond the Saar would be impossible. Therefore, the armies of France would take up a defensive position that would protect against every possible attack point, but also left the armies unable to support each other.

Which disaster made French planning supremely essential?

the disaster at Wissembourg

Which general was determined to go on the attack over Saar?

General Le Bœuf

Planning for the next battle was less based on emotion and more focused on what?

the reality of unfolding events

Who told LeBoeuf that supply beyond the Saar would be impossible?

General Wolff

What did the French armies decide on to protect against every possible attack point?

a defensive position


Following the Army of the Loire's defeats, Gambetta turned to General Faidherbe's Army of the North. The army had achieved several small victories at towns such as Ham, La Hallue, and Amiens and was protected by the belt of fortresses in northern France, allowing Faidherbe's men to launch quick attacks against isolated Prussian units, then retreat behind the fortresses. Despite access to the armaments factories of Lille, the Army of the North suffered from severe supply difficulties, which depressed morale. In January 1871, Gambetta forced Faidherbe to march his army beyond the fortresses and engage the Prussians in open battle. The army was severely weakened by low morale, supply problems, the terrible winter weather and low troop quality, whilst general Faidherbe was unable to command due to his poor health, the result of decades of campaigning in West Africa. At the Battle of St. Quentin, the Army of the North suffered a crushing defeat and was scattered, releasing thousands of Prussian soldiers to be relocated to the East.

What army's defeats turned Gambetta to the Army of the North?

Army of the Loire's

Who led the Army of the North?

General Faidherbe

Several smaller victories were acheived by the protection of what?

belt of fortresses

The belt of fortresses were in what area of France?

northern France

This position in the north allowed whose men to launch fast attacks against Prussian units?

Faidherbe's


Despite odds of four to one, the III Corps launched a risky attack. The French were routed and the III Corps captured Vionville, blocking any further escape attempts to the west. Once blocked from retreat, the French in the fortress of Metz had no choice but to engage in a fight that would see the last major cavalry engagement in Western Europe. The battle soon erupted, and III Corps was shattered by incessant cavalry charges, losing over half its soldiers. The German Official History recorded 15,780 casualties and French casualties of 13,761 men.

What odds were at stake for the attack launched by the III Corps?

four to one

What town were the III Corps able to capture?

Vionville

In capturing Vionville, what was further blocked in the west?

escape attempts

With battle at Metz, what factor shattered the efforts of III Corps?

incessant cavalry charges

The Germans recorded how many causualties in the battle?


With the defeat of the First Army, Prince Frederick Charles ordered a massed artillery attack against Canrobert's position at St. Privat to prevent the Guards attack from failing too. At 19:00 the 3rd Division of Fransecky's II Corps of the Second Army advanced across Ravine while the XII Corps cleared out the nearby town of Roncourt and with the survivors of the 1st Guards Infantry Division launched a fresh attack against the ruins of St. Privat. At 20:00, the arrival of the Prussian 4th Infantry Division of the II Corps and with the Prussian right flank on Mance Ravine, the line stabilised. By then, the Prussians of the 1st Guards Infantry Division and the XII and II Corps captured St. Privat forcing the decimated French forces to withdraw. With the Prussians exhausted from the fighting, the French were now able to mount a counter-attack. General Bourbaki, however, refused to commit the reserves of the French Old Guard to the battle because, by that time, he considered the overall situation a 'defeat'. By 22:00, firing largely died down across the battlefield for the night. The next morning, the French Army of the Rhine, rather than resume the battle with an attack of its own against the battle-weary German armies, retreated to Metz where they were besieged and forced to surrender two months later.

Which prince ordered an artillery attack against Canrobert?

Prince Frederick Charles

Which army's defeat compelled Prince Charles to attack?

defeat of the First Army,

As the Second Army pushed into Ravine, the XII Corps cleared out which adjacent town?

Roncourt

The surving soldiers of the 1st Guards Infantry Division launched a new attack against what?

ruins of St. Privat

Which army was forced to retreat to Metz and surrender two months later?

French Army of the Rhine


When the war began, the French government ordered a blockade of the North German coasts, which the small North German navy (Norddeutsche Bundesmarine) with only five ironclads could do little to oppose. For most of the war, the three largest German ironclads were out of service with engine troubles; only the turret ship SMS Arminius was available to conduct operations. By the time engine repairs had been completed, the French fleet had already departed. The blockade proved only partially successful due to crucial oversights by the planners in Paris. Reservists that were supposed to be at the ready in case of war, were working in the Newfoundland fisheries or in Scotland. Only part of the 470-ship French Navy put to sea on 24 July. Before long, the French navy ran short of coal, needing 200 short tons (180 t) per day and having a bunker capacity in the fleet of only 250 short tons (230 t). A blockade of Wilhelmshaven failed and conflicting orders about operations in the Baltic Sea or a return to France, made the French naval efforts futile. Spotting a blockade-runner became unwelcome because of the question du charbon; pursuit of Prussian ships quickly depleted the coal reserves of the French ships.

A blockade of what coastline was ordered by the French government at the start of the war?

North German coasts

The small North German navy had how many ironclads at their disposal?

only five

What was the name of the only turret ship that was able to conduct operations?

SMS Arminius

How many ships was the French navy able to dispatch to sea?

In pursuing Prussian ships, what resource was quickly depleted?

coal reserves


The Battle of Spicheren, on 5 August, was the second of three critical French defeats. Moltke had originally planned to keep Bazaine's army on the Saar River until he could attack it with the 2nd Army in front and the 1st Army on its left flank, while the 3rd Army closed towards the rear. The aging General von Steinmetz made an overzealous, unplanned move, leading the 1st Army south from his position on the Moselle. He moved straight toward the town of Spicheren, cutting off Prince Frederick Charles from his forward cavalry units in the process.

Which battle was the second of three key French losses?

Battle of Spicheren

On what date did the battle of Spicheren take place?

5 August

Moltke had originally planned to kee Bazaine's army on what river?

the Saar River

Which general's zeal and lack of planning led to cutting off Prince Charles from his calvary?

General von Steinmetz

Which town was the site of General von Steinmetz's grave error?

Spicheren


The Prussian General Staff developed by Moltke proved to be extremely effective, in contrast to the traditional French school. This was in large part due to the fact that the Prussian General Staff was created to study previous Prussian operations and learn to avoid mistakes. The structure also greatly strengthened Moltke's ability to control large formations spread out over significant distances. The Chief of the General Staff, effectively the commander in chief of the Prussian army, was independent of the minister of war and answered only to the monarch. The French General Staff—along with those of every other European military—was little better than a collection of assistants for the line commanders. This disorganization hampered the French commanders' ability to exercise control of their forces.

The General Staff developed by Moltke proved to be what?

extremely effective

What was key factor did the Prussian General Staff study?

previous Prussian operations

What was the goal in the General Staff studying past operations?

learn to avoid mistakes

The structure also reinforced Moltke's ability control large formations spread out over what?

significant distances

Who is essentially considered the commander in chief of the Prussian army?

The Chief of the General Staff


The Germans expected to negotiate an end to the war but immediately ordered an advance on Paris; by 15 September Moltke issued the orders for an investment of Paris and on 20 September the encirclement was complete. Bismarck met Favre on 18 September at the Château de Ferrières and demanded a frontier immune to a French war of revenge, which included Strasbourg, Alsace and most the Moselle department in Lorraine of which Metz was the capital. In return for an armistice for the French to elect a National Assembly, Bismarck demanded the surrender of Strasbourg and the fortress city of Toul. To allow supplies into Paris, one of the perimeter forts had to be handed over. Favre was unaware that the real aim of Bismarck in making such extortionate demands was to establish a durable peace on the new western frontier of Germany, preferably by a peace with a friendly government, on terms acceptable to French public opinion. An impregnable military frontier was an inferior alternative to him, favoured only by the militant nationalists on the German side.

What did the Germans expect to negotiate?

an end to the war

On what date was the encirclement of Paris complete?

20 September

Bismarck and Favre met on what date?

18 September

What was the location of Bismarck and Favre's meeting?

the Château de Ferrières

Bismarck demanded the surrender of Strasbourg and what fortress city?

Toul


By 16:50, with the Prussian southern attacks in danger of breaking up, the Prussian 3rd Guards Infantry Brigade of the Second Army opened an attack against the French positions at St. Privat which were commanded by General Canrobert. At 17:15, the Prussian 4th Guards Infantry Brigade joined the advance followed at 17:45 by the Prussian 1st Guards Infantry Brigade. All of the Prussian Guard attacks were pinned down by lethal French gunfire from the rifle pits and trenches. At 18:15 the Prussian 2nd Guards Infantry Brigade, the last of the 1st Guards Infantry Division, was committed to the attack on St. Privat while Steinmetz committed the last of the reserves of the First Army across the Mance Ravine. By 18:30, a considerable portion of the VII and VIII Corps disengaged from the fighting and withdrew towards the Prussian positions at Rezonville.

By late afternoon, what were the Prussian southern attacks at risk of?

breaking up

Which Prussian general commanded the attack against the French at St. Privat?

General Canrobert

What factor immobilised the Prussian Guard?

lethal French gunfire

By nightfall a major component of the VII and VII Corps withdrew towards what Prussian position?

Rezonville


The Prussian Army, under the terms of the armistice, held a brief victory parade in Paris on 17 February; the city was silent and draped with black and the Germans quickly withdrew. Bismarck honoured the armistice, by allowing train loads of food into Paris and withdrawing Prussian forces to the east of the city, prior to a full withdrawal once France agreed to pay a five billion franc war indemnity. At the same time, Prussian forces were concentrated in the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine. An exodus occurred from Paris as some 200,000 people, predominantly middle-class, went to the countryside.

What did the Prussian Army hold in Paris on 17 February?

a brief victory parade

Under what provision was the Prussian Army permitted to have a victory parade?

the terms of the armistice

To hounour the armistice, Bismarck allowed train loads of what into Paris?

food

France had to consent to pay how much in war indemnity?

five billion franc

An ensuing mass exodus from Paris saw how many people head for the countryside?


When the news arrived at Paris of the surrender at Sedan of Napoleon III and 80,000 men, the Second Empire was overthrown by a popular uprising in Paris, which forced the proclamation of a Provisional Government and a Third Republic by general Trochu, Favre and Gambetta at Paris on 4 September, the new government calling itself the Government of National Defence. After the German victory at Sedan, most of the French standing army was either besieged in Metz or prisoner of the Germans, who hoped for an armistice and an end to the war. Bismarck wanted an early peace but had difficulty in finding a legitimate French authority with which to negotiate. The Government of National Defence had no electoral mandate, the Emperor was a captive and the Empress in exile but there had been no abdication de jure and the army was still bound by an oath of allegiance to the defunct imperial régime.

Whose surrender hit Paris as big news?

Napoleon III

Which empire was overthrown by a popular uprising in Paris?

the Second Empire

The uprising forced a proclamation of what?

Provisional Government and a Third Republic

How did the new government refer to itself?

Government of National Defence

Bismarck desired an early piece but lacked what in the negotiation process?

a legitimate French authority


A series of swift Prussian and German victories in eastern France, culminating in the Siege of Metz and the Battle of Sedan, saw the army of the Second Empire decisively defeated (Napoleon III had been captured at Sedan on 2 September). A Government of National Defence declared the Third Republic in Paris on 4 September and continued the war and for another five months, the German forces fought and defeated new French armies in northern France. Following the Siege of Paris, the capital fell on 28 January 1871 and then a revolutionary uprising called the Paris Commune seized power in the capital and held it for two months, until it was bloodily suppressed by the regular French army at the end of May 1871.

A series of Prussian and German victories took place in what part of France?

eastern France

What seige did these victories lead to?

Siege of Metz

What battle was a result of the Prussian and German victories in eastern France?

Battle of Sedan

Which army definitively defeated Napolean III?

the army of the Second Empire

On what date did the Government of National Defence declare the the Third Republic in Paris?

4 September


Some historians argue that Napoleon III also sought war, particularly for the diplomatic defeat in 1866 in leveraging any benefits from the Austro-Prussian War, and he believed he would win a conflict with Prussia. They also argue that he wanted a war to resolve growing domestic political problems. Other historians, notably French historian Pierre Milza, dispute this. On 8 May 1870, shortly before the war, French voters had overwhelmingly supported Napoleon III's program in a national plebiscite, with 7,358,000 votes yes against 1,582,000 votes no, an increase of support of two million votes since the legislative elections in 1869. According to Milza, the Emperor had no need for a war to increase his popularity.

Some historians counter that Napolean III sought what?

war

Napoleon III belived he would win the Astro-Prussian war and win a conflict with what country?

Prussia

It is also argued that Napoleon III thought a war would resolve the growing issue of what?

domestic political problems

Before the war, French voters overwhelming supported what program of Napoleon III?

a national plebiscite

Who proposed that Emperor needed no war to increase his public appeal?

Milza


To relieve pressure from the expected German attack into Alsace-Lorraine, Napoleon III and the French high command planned a seaborne invasion of northern Germany as soon as war began. The French expected the invasion to divert German troops and to encourage Denmark to join in the war, with its 50,000-strong army and the Royal Danish Navy. It was discovered that Prussia had recently built defences around the big North German ports, including coastal artillery batteries with Krupp heavy artillery, which with a range of 4,000 yards (3,700 m), had double the range of French naval guns. The French Navy lacked the heavy guns to engage the coastal defences and the topography of the Prussian coast made a seaborne invasion of northern Germany impossible.

What did Napoleon III plan to relieve pressure from an expected German attack?

invasion of northern Germany

What country were the French hoping to be allied with?

Denmark

What military strength could Denmark to France in a war?

the Royal Danish Navy

What had Prussia been discovered building around big north German ports?

defences

What did the French navy lack in engaging coastal defenses?

heavy guns


The Prussian Army was composed not of regulars but conscripts. Service was compulsory for all of men of military age, and thus Prussia and its North and South German allies could mobilise and field some 1,000,000 soldiers in time of war. German tactics emphasised encirclement battles like Cannae and using artillery offensively whenever possible. Rather than advancing in a column or line formation, Prussian infantry moved in small groups that were harder to target by artillery or French defensive fire. The sheer number of soldiers available made encirclement en masse and destruction of French formations relatively easy.

What was the Prussian Army composed of, instead of regulars?

conscripts

Service was mandatory for all men sharing which feature?

of military age

Together, Prussia and Germany expected to amass how many soldiers?

German tactics relied on what type of battle strategy?

encirclement battles

What is an example of a German encirclement battle?

Cannae


In addition, the Prussian military education system was superior to the French model; Prussian staff officers were trained to exhibit initiative and independent thinking. Indeed, this was Moltke's expectation. The French, meanwhile, suffered from an education and promotion system that stifled intellectual development. According to the military historian Dallas Irvine, the system "was almost completely effective in excluding the army's brain power from the staff and high command. To the resulting lack of intelligence at the top can be ascribed all the inexcusable defects of French military policy."

What Prussian system was superior to the French example?

military education

Prussian military officers were trained to exude what type thinking?

independent thinking

What commander of the General Staff held the expectaion of independent thinking in his officers?

Moltke

What did the French dearth of an education and promotion system stifle?

intellectual development

Which military historian criticized the French system as being defective?

Dallas Irvine


The French breech-loading rifle, the Chassepot, had a far longer range than the German needle gun; 1,500 yards (1,400 m) compared to 600 yd (550 m). The French also had an early machine-gun type weapon, the mitrailleuse, which could fire its thirty-seven barrels at a range of around 1,200 yd (1,100 m). It was developed in such secrecy, that little training with the weapon had occurred, leaving French gunners with no experience; the gun was treated like artillery and in this role it was ineffective. Worse still, once the small number of soldiers who had been trained how to use the new weapon became casualties, there were no replacements who knew how to operate the mitrailleuse.

What aspect of the Chassepot was superior to the German needle gun?

longer range

What French weapon was considered a rough prototype of the first machine gun?

the mitrailleuse

How many barrels did the mitrailleuse feature?

thirty-seven barrels

What was the range of the mitrailleuse?

1,200 yd (1,100 m)

Treating the mitrailleuse like what rendered it far less effective

artillery


The French Marines and naval infantry intended for the invasion of northern Germany were dispatched to reinforce the French Army of Châlons and fell into captivity at Sedan along with Napoleon III. A shortage of officers, following the capture of most of the professional French army at the Siege of Metz and at the Battle of Sedan, led naval officers to be sent from their ships to command hastily assembled reservists of the Garde Mobile. As the autumn storms of the North Sea forced the return of more of the French ships, the blockade of the north German ports diminished and in September 1870 the French navy abandoned the blockade for the winter. The rest of the navy retired to ports along the English Channel and remained in port for the rest of the war.

The French Marines and naval infantry were dispatched to reinforce what?

French Army of Châlons

The French navy fell captive where?

at Sedan

Who also was captured at Sedan?

Napoleon III

The autumn storms of what sea forced the return of yet more French ships?

the North Sea

On which rough date did the French navy abandon their blockade?

September 1870


Marshal MacMahon, now closest to Wissembourg, spread his four divisions over 20 miles (32 km) to react to any Prussian invasion. This organization of forces was due to a lack of supplies, forcing each division to seek out basic provisions along with the representatives of the army supply arm that was supposed to aid them. What made a bad situation much worse was the conduct of General Auguste-Alexandre Ducrot, commander of the 1st Division. He told General Abel Douay, commander of the 2nd Division, on 1 August that "The information I have received makes me suppose that the enemy has no considerable forces very near his advance posts, and has no desire to take the offensive". Two days later, he told MacMahon that he had not found "a single enemy post ... it looks to me as if the menace of the Bavarians is simply bluff". Even though Ducrot shrugged off the possibility of an attack by the Germans, MacMahon tried to warn the other divisions of his army, without success.

Which marshal was closest to Wissembourg?

Marshal MacMahon

How many divisions did MacMahon command?

four divisions

Over how many miles did MacMahon's divisions cover?

20 miles

Whose conduct made a bad situation worse?

General Auguste-Alexandre Ducrot

What group did General Ducrot command?

the 1st Division


During the war, the Paris National Guard, particularly in the working-class neighbourhoods of Paris, had become highly politicised and units elected officers; many refused to wear uniforms or obey commands from the national government. National guard units tried to seize power in Paris on 31 October 1870 and 22 January 1871. On 18 March 1871, when the regular army tried to remove cannons from an artillery park on Montmartre, National Guard units resisted and killed two army generals. The national government and regular army forces retreated to Versailles and a revolutionary government was proclaimed in Paris. A Commune was elected, which was dominated by socialists, anarchists and revolutionaries. The red flag replaced the French tricolour and a civil war began between the Commune and the regular army, which attacked and recaptured Paris from 21–28 May in La Semaine Sanglante (Bloody week).

What became highly politicised during the war?

Paris National Guard

In what type of neighborhoods did the occur especially?

working-class neighbourhoods

What did the National Guard refuse to wear?

uniforms

What did the National Guard refuse to obey?

commands from the national government

On which dates did La Semaine Sanglante occur in Paris?

21–28 May


While the French army under General MacMahon engaged the German 3rd Army at the Battle of Wörth, the German 1st Army under Steinmetz finished their advance west from Saarbrücken. A patrol from the German 2nd Army under Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia spotted decoy fires close and Frossard's army farther off on a distant plateau south of the town of Spicheren, and took this as a sign of Frossard's retreat. Ignoring Moltke's plan again, both German armies attacked Frossard's French 2nd Corps, fortified between Spicheren and Forbach.

Who commanded the French army at the battle of Worth?

General MacMahon

Which German divisison did MacMahon engage?

German 3rd Army

Who commanded the German 1st Army?

Steinmetz

What did a German patrol spot that led them to believe that Frossard had retreated?

decoy fires

Whose plan did German armies ignore in attacking Frossard?

Moltke's


The casualties were horrible, especially for the attacking Prussian forces. A grand total of 20,163 German troops were killed, wounded or missing in action during the August 18 battle. The French losses were 7,855 killed and wounded along with 4,420 prisoners of war (half of them were wounded) for a total of 12,275. While most of the Prussians fell under the French Chassepot rifles, most French fell under the Prussian Krupp shells. In a breakdown of the casualties, Frossard's II Corps of the Army of the Rhine suffered 621 casualties while inflicting 4,300 casualties on the Prussian First Army under Steinmetz before the Pointe du Jour. The Prussian Guards Infantry Divisions losses were even more staggering with 8,000 casualties out of 18,000 men. The Special Guards Jäger lost 19 officers, a surgeon and 431 men out of a total of 700. The 2nd Guards Infantry Brigade lost 39 officers and 1,076 men. The 3rd Guards Infantry Brigade lost 36 officers and 1,060 men. On the French side, the units holding St. Privat lost more than half their number in the village.

Who were the casualties especially terrible for?

the attacking Prussian forces

What was the grand total of German casualties and those missing in action?

What were the number of French killed and wounded?

What was the number of French prisoners?

What did most Prussians fall under?

French Chassepot rifles


While the republican government was amenable to war reparations or ceding colonial territories in Africa or in South East Asia to Prussia, Favre on behalf of the Government of National Defense, declared on 6 September that France would not "yield an inch of its territory nor a stone of its fortresses." The republic then renewed the declaration of war, called for recruits in all parts of the country and pledged to drive the German troops out of France by a guerre à outrance. Under these circumstances, the Germans had to continue the war, yet could not pin down any proper military opposition in their vicinity. As the bulk of the remaining French armies were digging-in near Paris, the German leaders decided to put pressure upon the enemy by attacking Paris. By September 15, German troops reached the outskirts of the fortified city. On September 19, the Germans surrounded it and erected a blockade, as already established at Metz.

What was the republican government amenable to?

war reparations

Who declared that France would not yield "an inch of its territory?"

Favre

Who was Favre speaking on behalf of?

Government of National Defense

When did Favre make the declaration concerning colonial territories?

6 September

What did this cause the Republic to renew?

declaration of war


Albrecht von Roon, the Prussian Minister of War from 1859 to 1873, put into effect a series of reforms of the Prussian military system in the 1860s. Among these were two major reforms that substantially increased the military power of Germany. The first was a reorganization of the army that integrated the regular army and the Landwehr reserves. The second was the provision for the conscription of every male Prussian of military age in the event of mobilization. Thus, despite the population of France being greater than the population of all of the German states that participated in the war, the Germans mobilized more soldiers for battle.

Who was the Prussian Minister of War?

Albrecht von Roon

What was the time span that von Roon acted as minister?

1859 to 1873

He instituted a series of what regarding the Prussian military?

reforms

What was the first step in the reforms?

a reorganization of the army

What was the second reform?

the conscription of every male


The French were equipped with bronze, rifled muzzle-loading artillery, while the Prussians used new steel breech-loading guns, which had a far longer range and a faster rate of fire. Prussian gunners strove for a high rate of fire, which was discouraged in the French army in the belief that it wasted ammunition. In addition, the Prussian artillery batteries had 30% more guns than their French counterparts. The Prussian guns typically opened fire at a range of 2–3 kilometres (1.2–1.9 mi), beyond the range of French artillery or the Chassepot rifle. The Prussian batteries could thus destroy French artillery with impunity, before being moved forward to directly support infantry attacks.

What type of artillery were the French equipped with?

bronze, rifled muzzle-loading

What newer artillery were Prussians using?

steel breech-loading guns

What did the French believe was overly wasted in artillery with a higher rate of fire?

ammunition

The Prussian artillery batteries had what percentage more of guns than the French?

30% more

What was the typical range that Prussian guns could fire?

2–3 kilometres


On 28 January 1871 the Government of National Defence based in Paris negotiated an armistice with the Prussians. With Paris starving, and Gambetta's provincial armies reeling from one disaster after another, French foreign minister Favre went to Versailles on 24 January to discuss peace terms with Bismarck. Bismarck agreed to end the siege and allow food convoys to immediately enter Paris (including trains carrying millions of German army rations), on condition that the Government of National Defence surrender several key fortresses outside Paris to the Prussians. Without the forts, the French Army would no longer be able to defend Paris.

On what date did the Government of National Defence negotiate an armistice?

28 January 1871

With whom did the French government negotiate?

the Prussians

What consequence of war were Parisians suffering?

starving

Which French minister traveled to Versailles to discuss peace?

Favre

What was the date on which jFarve and Bismarck met?

24 January


During the fighting, the Communards killed c. 500 people, including the Archbishop of Paris, and burned down many government buildings, including the Tuileries Palace and the Hotel de Ville. Communards captured with weapons were routinely shot by the army and Government troops killed from 7,000–30,000 Communards in the fighting and in massacres of men, women, and children during and after the Commune. More recent histories, based on studies of the number buried in Paris cemeteries and in mass graves after the fall of the Commune, put the number killed at between 6,000 and 10,000. Twenty-six courts were established to try more than 40,000 people who had been arrested, which took until 1875 and imposed 95 death sentences, of which 23 were inflicted. Forced labour for life was imposed on 251 people, 1,160 people were transported to "a fortified place" and 3,417 people were transported. About 20,000 Communards were held in prison hulks until released in 1872 and a great many Communards fled abroad to England, Switzerland, Belgium or the United States. The survivors were amnestied by a bill introduced by Gambetta in 1880 and allowed to return.

How many were killed by the Communards?

500 people

Which religious official was also killed during the fighting?

Archbishop of Paris

What type of buildings were especially targeted to be burned down?

government buildings

What famous palace was also burned down?

Tuileries Palace

What is the rough estimate of the number of people killed?

between 6,000 and 10,000


At the outset of the Franco-Prussian War, 462,000 German soldiers concentrated on the French frontier while only 270,000 French soldiers could be moved to face them, the French army having lost 100,000 stragglers before a shot was fired through poor planning and administration. This was partly due to the peacetime organisations of the armies. Each Prussian Corps was based within a Kreis (literally "circle") around the chief city in an area. Reservists rarely lived more than a day's travel from their regiment's depot. By contrast, French regiments generally served far from their depots, which in turn were not in the areas of France from which their soldiers were drawn. Reservists often faced several days' journey to report to their depots, and then another long journey to join their regiments. Large numbers of reservists choked railway stations, vainly seeking rations and orders.

At the start of the war, how many German troops were focused on the French frontier?

How many French troops were available to stand again the Germans?

What is the literal meaning of the Prussian word "Kreis?"

literally "circle"

What did the French military numbers suffer from the most?

having lost 100,000 stragglers


The events of the Franco-Prussian War had great influence on military thinking over the next forty years. Lessons drawn from the war included the need for a general staff system, the scale and duration of future wars and the tactical use of artillery and cavalry. The bold use of artillery by the Prussians, to silence French guns at long range and then to directly support infantry attacks at close range, proved to be superior to the defensive doctrine employed by French gunners. The Prussian tactics were adopted by European armies by 1914, exemplified in the French 75, an artillery piece optimised to provide direct fire support to advancing infantry. Most European armies ignored the evidence of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–05 which suggested that infantry armed with new smokeless-powder rifles could engage gun crews effectively. This forced gunners to fire at longer range using indirect fire, usually from a position of cover.

The events of the Franco-Prussian War had great influence on what?

military thinking

Lessons garnered from the war included recognizing the need for what kind of system?

general staff system

Who adopted the Prussian artillery tactics in 1914?

European armies

What was the French 75 optimised to directly support?

advancing infantry

Evidence from what war suggested the increased benefits of smokeless poweder rifles?

Russo-Japanese War


The creation of a unified German Empire ended the balance of power that had been created with the Congress of Vienna after the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Germany had established itself as the main power in continental Europe with the most powerful and professional army in the world.[citation needed] Although Great Britain remained the dominant world power, British involvement in European affairs during the late 19th century was very limited, allowing Germany to exercise great influence over the European mainland.[citation needed] Besides, the Crown Prince's marriage with the daughter of Queen Victoria was only the most prominent of several German–British relationships.

A unified German Empire ended the balance of power in which congress?

Congress of Vienna

At the end of the Napoleonic wars, Germany had established itself as what, in continental Europe?

the main power

Who remained the dominant world power at this time?

Great Britain

British involvement in European matters in the late 19th century was considered what?

very limited

The Crown Prince's marriage to whom was considered the most prominent of German-British royal liasons?

the daughter of Queen Victoria


Puberty occurs through a long process and begins with a surge in hormone production, which in turn causes a number of physical changes. It is the stage of life characterized by the appearance and development of secondary sex characteristics (for example, a deeper voice and larger adam's apple in boys, and development of breasts and more curved and prominent hips in girls) and a strong shift in hormonal balance towards an adult state. This is triggered by the pituitary gland, which secretes a surge of hormonal agents into the blood stream, initiating a chain reaction to occur. The male and female gonads are subsequently activated, which puts them into a state of rapid growth and development; the triggered gonads now commence the mass production of the necessary chemicals. The testes primarily release testosterone, and the ovaries predominantly dispense estrogen. The production of these hormones increases gradually until sexual maturation is met. Some boys may develop gynecomastia due to an imbalance of sex hormones, tissue responsiveness or obesity.

A surge in hormone production triggers a number of physical changes during what stage of life?

Puberty

Which gland secretes a surge of hormonal agents into the blood stream?

pituitary

Which part of the body releases testosterone in males?

testes

Which part of the body relesases estrogen in females?

ovaries

An imbalance in sex hormones, tissue responsiveness, or obesity can cause what in boys?

gynecomastia


A thorough understanding of adolescence in society depends on information from various perspectives, including psychology, biology, history, sociology, education, and anthropology. Within all of these perspectives, adolescence is viewed as a transitional period between childhood and adulthood, whose cultural purpose is the preparation of children for adult roles. It is a period of multiple transitions involving education, training, employment and unemployment, as well as transitions from one living circumstance to another.

What is the cultural purpose of adolescence?

preparation of children for adult roles

What is the transitional period between childhood and adulthood viewed as?

adolescence

Is adolescence a period of one transition or multiple transitions?

multiple transitions

What transitions occur during puberty in addition to living circumstances?

education, training, employment and unemployment


Pubertal development also affects circulatory and respiratory systems as an adolescents' heart and lungs increase in both size and capacity. These changes lead to increased strength and tolerance for exercise. Sex differences are apparent as males tend to develop "larger hearts and lungs, higher systolic blood pressure, a lower resting heart rate, a greater capacity for carrying oxygen to the blood, a greater power for neutralizing the chemical products of muscular exercise, higher blood hemoglobin and more red blood cells".

How do a person's heart and lungs change during puberty?

increase in both size and capacity

Increased size and capacity of the heart and lungs result in what changes to the body?

increased strength and tolerance for exercise

Which sex tends to develop larger hearts and lungs?

males

Which sex tends to have more red blood cells than the other?

males

Which body system are a person's lungs a major proponent of?

respiratory


The human brain is not fully developed by the time a person reaches puberty. Between the ages of 10 and 25, the brain undergoes changes that have important implications for behavior (see Cognitive development below). The brain reaches 90% of its adult size by the time a person is six years of age. Thus, the brain does not grow in size much during adolescence. However, the creases in the brain continue to become more complex until the late teens. The biggest changes in the folds of the brain during this time occur in the parts of the cortex that process cognitive and emotional information.

Is a person's brain fully developed by the time they reach puberty?

not

The brain reaches what percentage of its adult size by the time a person is six years old?

The biggest changes in the brain during puberty occur in the parts of the cortex that process what kinds of information?

cognitive and emotional

What parts of the brain continue to become more complex into the late teens?

creases

The brain reaches 90% of its adult size by the time a person reaches what year of age?

six


Serotonin is a neuromodulator involved in regulation of mood and behavior. Development in the limbic system plays an important role in determining rewards and punishments and processing emotional experience and social information. Changes in the levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin in the limbic system make adolescents more emotional and more responsive to rewards and stress. The corresponding increase in emotional variability also can increase adolescents' vulnerability. The effect of serotonin is not limited to the limbic system: Several serotonin receptors have their gene expression change dramatically during adolescence, particularly in the human frontal and prefrontal cortex .

Which neuromodulator is involved in regulation of mood and behavior?

Serotonin

Are the effects of serotonin limited to the limbic system?

not

Serotonin is a neuromodulator that is involved in regulation of what?

mood and behavior

Which system in the brain determines rewards and punishments, emotional experiences, and social information?

limbic

Which two neurotransmitters cause adolescents to be more emotional and more responsive to rewards and stresses?

dopamine and serotonin


Adolescents' thinking is less bound to concrete events than that of children: they can contemplate possibilities outside the realm of what currently exists. One manifestation of the adolescent's increased facility with thinking about possibilities is the improvement of skill in deductive reasoning, which leads to the development of hypothetical thinking. This provides the ability to plan ahead, see the future consequences of an action and to provide alternative explanations of events. It also makes adolescents more skilled debaters, as they can reason against a friend's or parent's assumptions. Adolescents also develop a more sophisticated understanding of probability.

Are adolescents or children more bound to concrete events?

children

Deductive reasoning leads to the development of what type of thinking?

hypothetical

What type of thinking provides the ability to plan ahead and makes adolescents more skilled debaters?

hypothetical

Adolescents develop a more sophisticated understanding of what mathematical concept thanks to their increased hypothetical thinking abilties?

probability


The timing of puberty can have important psychological and social consequences. Early maturing boys are usually taller and stronger than their friends. They have the advantage in capturing the attention of potential partners and in becoming hand-picked for sports. Pubescent boys often tend to have a good body image, are more confident, secure, and more independent. Late maturing boys can be less confident because of poor body image when comparing themselves to already developed friends and peers. However, early puberty is not always positive for boys; early sexual maturation in boys can be accompanied by increased aggressiveness due to the surge of hormones that affect them. Because they appear older than their peers, pubescent boys may face increased social pressure to conform to adult norms; society may view them as more emotionally advanced, despite the fact that their cognitive and social development may lag behind their appearance. Studies have shown that early maturing boys are more likely to be sexually active and are more likely to participate in risky behaviors.

Are sexual actvity and risky behaviors more likely in boys that mature early or later?

early

Increased aggresiveness and early sexual maturation in adolescent boys are due to a surge of what?

hormones

Are early or late maturing boys generally taller and stronger than their friends?

Early

What is one reason a late maturing boy may be less confident when comparing himself to others?

poor body image


Wisdom, or the capacity for insight and judgment that is developed through experience, increases between the ages of fourteen and twenty-five, then levels off. Thus, it is during the adolescence-adulthood transition that individuals acquire the type of wisdom that is associated with age. Wisdom is not the same as intelligence: adolescents do not improve substantially on IQ tests since their scores are relative to others in their same age group, and relative standing usually does not change—everyone matures at approximately the same rate in this way.

How is wisdom defined?

capacity for insight and judgment that is developed through experience

Wisdom increases between age fourteen and what?

twenty-five

Is wisdom the same thing as intelligence?

not

Do adolescents perform significantly better on IQ tests than other age groups?

not

What word is defined as the capacity for insight and judgement that is developed through experience?

Wisdom


In studying adolescent development, adolescence can be defined biologically, as the physical transition marked by the onset of puberty and the termination of physical growth; cognitively, as changes in the ability to think abstractly and multi-dimensionally; or socially, as a period of preparation for adult roles. Major pubertal and biological changes include changes to the sex organs, height, weight, and muscle mass, as well as major changes in brain structure and organization. Cognitive advances encompass both increases in knowledge and in the ability to think abstractly and to reason more effectively. The study of adolescent development often involves interdisciplinary collaborations. For example, researchers in neuroscience or bio-behavioral health might focus on pubertal changes in brain structure and its effects on cognition or social relations. Sociologists interested in adolescence might focus on the acquisition of social roles (e.g., worker or romantic partner) and how this varies across cultures or social conditions. Developmental psychologists might focus on changes in relations with parents and peers as a function of school structure and pubertal status.

How is adolescence defined biologically?

the physical transition marked by the onset of puberty and the termination of physical growth

How is adolescence defined cognitively?

changes in the ability to think abstractly and multi-dimensionally

Changes to sex organs, height, weight, and muscle mass are examples of which type of change?

biological

Increases in knowledge and the ability to think abstractly are examples of which kind of change?

Cognitive