Word: gambetta
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Dates: during 1930-1939
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Nevertheless, Paris remained. The futility of its resistance simply emphasizes the heroism of the defenders. For four months the city underwent a continual bombardment. Thiers and Gambetta, balloon ascensions across the Prussian lines, the relief army from the South, the National Guard, and the final triumphal entry of the besiegers, followed by the proclamation in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles of the German Empire--the whole is a fantasy worthy of the Arabian Nights, with a note of tragedy added...
Came the Franco-Prussian War, Sedan, the fall of the Empire. The Prussians encircled Paris. Fiery Leon Gambetta escaped in a balloon to direct the war from Tours. The beleaguered Parisians were left to eat rats and sawdust bread, shout the "Marseillaise" from the ramparts. Banker Dreyfus had an opportunity to purchase Critic Timbal's collection at a very attractive price. During the next 20 years, when defeated France was re-establishing herself, he had many similar opportunities...