In the 19th century it built a colonial empire second only to the British Empire, but was humiliated in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870--71, which marked the rise of Germany to dominance in Europe.
In the 19th century France built a new colonial empire second only to the British Empire. It was humiliated in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870--71, which marked the rise of Germany to dominance in Europe.