Final answer:
The Franco-Prussian War did not involve minor conflicts, but resulted in significant geopolitical change and set the precedent for future large-scale conflicts. France's defeat ended its perceived military dominance and led to the emergence of Germany as a major European power, sowing seeds for future wars.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scholars would agree that the Franco-Prussian War did not result in short-term localized conflicts failing to involve full mobilization of national economies or extensive international participation. The war did, however, lead to major geopolitical shifts and had lasting implications for European politics and society.
The war was initiated after a dispute over the Spanish throne, leading to France declaring war on Prussia. Despite the brevity of the conflict, it resulted in a significant defeat for France, including a siege on Paris, the capture of Napoléon III, and the imposition of a large war indemnity to pay to Prussia. Moreover, France lost the territories of Alsace and Lorraine and had to bear the cost of the occupation forces. The humiliating defeat opened the door to the unification of Germany—an event signified by the coronation of Kaiser Wilhelm I at the Palace of Versailles, which symbolically emphasized Prussia's dominance over the new German Empire. This effectively made Germany a major European power.
The nature of the Franco-Prussian War belied the expectations of many in Europe, who presumed that wars would continue to be small, controlled events with minimal impact on civilian life. However, this conflict demonstrated the destructive potential of modern warfare and set the stage for future, larger-scale conflicts that would envelop Europe within the next few decades. The war ended on September 2, 1870, with a formal French surrender on January 28, 1871, leaving behind a legacy of animosity between France and Germany that would contribute to the causes of World War I.
Additionally, the war shifted the diplomatic landscape, prompting the formation and dissolution of alliances and increasing tensions across Europe. The war's conclusion left France humiliated, stripping away the myth of French military supremacy and leaving a German Empire as the newfound dominant force, leading to further hostilities and long-term enmities between the two nations.