Final answer:
The simple subject of the sentence is 'France' and the simple predicate is 'was defeated', making the correct answer A. France; Was defeated. This is related to accounts of France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking to identify the simple subject and the simple predicate in the sentence, 'Was France defeated in the Franco-Prussian War due to a general lack of vitality among the French soldiers?'
The simple subject of this sentence is 'France', which is the noun the question is about. The simple predicate, which is the main verb or verb phrase that tells something about the subject, is 'was defeated'. Therefore, the correct answer is A. France; Was defeated. This aligns with historical accounts indicating that during the Franco-Prussian War, France was indeed defeated. Factors contributing to the defeat included Napoleon III being captured, poor leadership of the French forces, a failure to realize the potential of tank warfare, and a lack of preparation for the German strategy, such as the one seen in World War II with the failure to anticipate the attack through the Ardennes Forest.