Franco‑Prussian War Aftermath and German Army Reforms (1871-1890)

1. Moltke remains chief; General Staff’s authority entrenched

   Jan 18, 1871Labels: Helmuth von, German General

   • Britannica Moltke
   • GHDI

2. Preliminary peace signed at Versailles

   Feb 26, 1871Labels: Treaty of, France Germany

   • Britannica
   • Wiki Versailles

3. Army unified under emperor in imperial constitution

   Apr 16, 1871Labels: Imperial Constitution, German Army

   • US Historian
   • Verfassungen de

4. Treaty of Frankfurt formally ends the war

   May 10, 1871Labels: Treaty of, Alsace-Lorraine

   • Britannica
   • Wiki Frankfurt

5. Franco‑German border defense emphasis formalized

   May 11, 1871Labels: Franco German, Fortifications

   • Britannica War
   • US Historian

6. Reichstag votes multi‑year army budget and force

   Dec 2, 1871Labels: Reichstag, Army Budget

   • Spectator
   • US Historian

7. Mauser Model 1871 provisionally adopted

   Dec 2, 1871Labels: Mauser Model, Infantry Small

   • Wiki Mauser71

8. Mauser Gewehr 71 formally accepted

   Feb 14, 1872Labels: Gewehr 71, Small Arms

   • Wiki Mauser71

9. Septennat compromise adopted for military budgets

   Jan 1, 1874Labels: Septennat, Otto von

   • Wiki Septennat
   • Wiki Bismarck

10. Second Septennat passed (1880 budget cycle)

    Jan 1, 1880Labels: Second Septennat, Military Budget

    • Wiki Septennat

11. Seven‑year army budget approved after 1887 election

    Mar 11, 1887Labels: 1887 Election, Seven-year Budget

    • Wiki 1887
    • Wiki Septennat

12. Commission rifle adopted amid smokeless‑powder race

    Jan 1, 1888Labels: Gewehr 88, Smokeless Powder

    • Wiki G88
    • Wiki Patrone88

13. Moltke retires; Waldersee becomes General Staff chief

    Aug 10, 1888Labels: Alfred von, Great General

    • Wiki Moltke
    • Wiki Waldersee

14. German General Staff leadership shifts toward offensive concepts

    Jan 1, 1889Labels: Offensive Doctrine, German General

    • Marne1914
    • Wiki Waldersee