Feuilleton : 1870 le siège de Belfort 1/4

Summary

The video script highlights the siege of Belfort during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, focusing on the city's heroic defense. In the context of a strategic location in Alsace, Belfort, a small city with about 7,000 inhabitants, became a focal point of resistance. Despite being surrounded by the Prussian army, which expected a quick surrender, the defenders, including inexperienced soldiers and volunteers from various regions, held out for over 100 days. The siege, marked by scarce resources and harsh conditions, left a lasting memory of resilience, as shown in rare photographs documenting the city’s struggle.

Takeaways

• 😀 The lion always watches over the citadel and the city during the winter of 1870.
• 😀 The siege of Belfort in 1870 lasted for 103 days and significantly impacted the town's fate.
• 😀 The small town of Belfort, located in Alsace, had around 7,000 inhabitants at the time.
• 😀 In 1870, Belfort was undergoing industrial transformation with the advent of the railroad and manufacturing.
• 😀 Belfort was a garrison town, home to infantry and cavalry regiments, with fortifications and a citadel.
• 😀 Denfert-Rochereau, the commander of Belfort, had meticulously prepared the city's defense.
• 😀 At the start of the siege, many soldiers arrived in Belfort, but they were untrained and lacked sufficient equipment.
• 😀 The majority of the defenders were young men from various regions, including the Rhône, Lyon, and Haute-Garonne.
• 😀 The Prussian army encircled the city in early November 1870, marking the beginning of the siege.
• 😀 Approximately 2,000 residents evacuated Belfort before the siege, but many others, including local villagers, sought refuge in the city.
• 😀 The siege left few photographic records, but the surviving images show the harsh realities faced by the people of Belfort during the conflict.

Q & A

What event marks the beginning of the siege of Belfort in 1870?

The siege of Belfort begins in early November 1870 when the Prussian army encircles the city during the Franco-Prussian War.

Who was in charge of the defense of Belfort during the siege?

The defense of Belfort was commanded by Colonel Denfert-Rochereau, who had meticulously prepared the city's fortifications and defense strategy.

What was the condition of the French soldiers defending Belfort?

The French soldiers defending Belfort were largely inexperienced, having been hastily recruited during the summer of 1870. They lacked proper military training and were equipped with limited resources provided by the local departments.

What role did Belfort's strategic location play in its defense?

Belfort occupied a strategic location in Alsace, which made it an important defensive stronghold during the war. Its fortifications and the presence of a military garrison played a crucial role in its defense against the Prussian siege.

What was the situation in Belfort before the siege started?

Before the siege, Belfort was a small, vibrant city experiencing the early stages of industrialization, with a population of around 7,000. It had a garrison, a manufacturing sector, and was connected to the railroad, which contributed to its economic growth.

How did the population of Belfort respond to the siege?

As the siege began, part of the population evacuated the city, with around 2,000 people leaving before the siege started. However, many others, including villagers from surrounding areas, sought refuge within Belfort's fortifications for protection.

What was the Prussian army's expectation regarding the siege of Belfort?

The Prussian army expected a quick surrender of Belfort, but they were mistaken. The city withstood the siege much longer than anticipated, leading to the nickname 'Lattes Automne' for the city's resilience.

What kind of photographic evidence exists from the siege of Belfort?

There are rare photographs from the siege of Belfort, some of which are preserved in the History Museum and the Departmental Archives. These photos provide a stark, realistic view of the destruction caused by the siege, capturing the devastation of the city.

How did the people of Belfort prepare for the siege?

The defenders, under Colonel Denfert-Rochereau, had prepared the city's fortifications, and despite the lack of experienced soldiers, they were able to rely on local resources and military strategy to defend the city for an extended period.

What impact did the 103-day siege have on the city of Belfort?

The 103-day siege profoundly affected Belfort. It led to significant hardship for the defenders and civilians, as the city endured constant bombardment. However, the city's resilience during the siege ultimately played a major role in shaping its historical legacy.