Identifier: greatestnations05elli (find matches)
Title: The story of the greatest nations, from the dawn of history to the twentieth century : a comprehensive history, founded upon the leading authorities, including a complete chronology of the world, and a pronouncing vocabulary of each nation
Year: 1900 (1900s)
Authors: Ellis, Edward Sylvester, 1840-1916 Horne, Charles F. (Charles Francis), 1870-1942
Subjects: World history
Publisher: New York : F.R. Niglutsch
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive

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. Thiers, upon his own authority and that of the provisional government, made the round of the capitals ofEurope in quest of alliances upon any terms. But none of the Powers cared totreat with an ambassador of such doubtful legality, or to involve themselves ina cause which seemed already lost. Meanwhile the utmost efforts were put forth to rouse the French people ofthe provinces. These had enthusiastically accepted the new Republic. Indeed, many of the provincial cities had themselves proclaimed its existence, without waiting for news from the capital. Yet now they held back doubtfully. They were jealous of the pretensions of the Paris government. They dreaded the excesses of the Paris mob. The position of military affairs was briefly this. Several French fortresses along the eastern frontier still held out, notably Strasburg; but these were compelled to surrender one by one. The only considerable French army of regular troops that remained, was under Marshal Bazaine shut up in Metz. It
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GAMBETTA AT TOURS SUMMONING THE PROVINCES TO RESISTANCE France—The Siege of Paris 939 consisted of nearly two hundred thousand men, and about three hundred thousand Germans surrounded it; while a second German army, almost equalto the first, marched toward Paris. General Trochu was made military commander of the capital, and it was hastily prepared to resist either an assault or a siege. Around the city stretched a gigantic wall which King Louis Philippe had planned and Napoleon III. had built. It was now nearly completed, thirty feet in height, and protected at every angle by huge forts and heavy guns. The defenses were strengthened as much as possible, and provisions were gathered from all quarters. Fugitives from the surrounding villages flocked into the city, swelling its total population to nearly two and a half millions of excited and determined people. From among these nearly four hundred thousand men were enrolled as soldiers, but of course the great majority were untrained and un

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