Background
As a result of the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, which involved German states on both sides as well as emerging Italy, Prussia had increased its power, as Bismarck had founded the North German Confederation. France did not participate in that short war decided by the decisive Prussian victory in the Battle of Königgrätz (or Sadowa), which led to French demands for a "Revanche pour Sadova" (Revenge for Sadowa).
In early 1870, the German Prince Leopold, of the Roman Catholic cadet branch Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, had been offered the vacant Spanish throne. The government of French Emperor Napoleon III voiced concern over a possible Spanish alliance with the Protestant House of Hohenzollern that ruled the Kingdom of Prussia, protested against it, and hinted about a war. Following the protests by France, Leopold had withdrawn his acceptance in July 1870. This was already considered a diplomatic defeat for Prussia. The French were not yet satisfied with this and demanded further commitments, especially a guarantee by the Prussian king that no member of any branch of his Hohenzollern family would ever be a candidate for the Spanish throne.
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