Commemorative Medal of the War of 1870-71 (France)

The Commemorative medal of the 1870–1871 War (French: Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1870–1871) was a French military campaign medal awarded to those who served during the Franco-Prussian War.

The war, declared by Emperor Napoleon III on Prussia on 19 July 1870, ended in defeat for France and terminated in the Treaty of Frankfurt of 10 May 1871.

Although the bravest were rewarded with the Legion of Honour and the Military Medal, the by-then republican authorities firmly refused to create a commemorative medal for award to the participants of the conflict, possibly in an effort to forget the humiliation and national shame caused by the sad events. Forty years would have to elapse before the government would agree to a tangible form of recognition for the surviving veterans of the conflict. The Commemorative medal of the 1870–1871 War was finally established by a law of 9 November 1911.