Civilian Rights and Expectations in the Franco-Prussian War

Although civilians did not enjoy many protections under the Geneva Convention as it stood in 1870, French civilians during the Franco-Prussian War expected to be spared the violence of war.  They were shocked that both the invading Prussians and their own army’s regulations did not place importance on the protection of civilian lives.  This contribution will explore the assumptions behind this dashed expectation and the redress that civilians expected, and will situate the Franco-Prussian War within the histories of human rights as well as humanitarian intervention.