Historical context of the 1870–71 war

The city of Belfort was besieged for 103 days, from November 3, 1870, to February 18, 1871.

Colonel Denfert-Rochereau was appointed governor of the Belfort fortress and organized the strengthening of the city's defenses. The city resisted the Prussian attacks, but the order to cease hostilities, issued by the Government of National Defense, brought the struggle to an end.

Nadar, *Portrait d'Adolphe Thiers*,
v. 1867-77, Impression carbone,
via WikiCommons

Ettienne Carjat, *Portrait du Colonel*
*Denfert-Rochereau*, 1878,
Impression carbone, M.2008.40.363,
Via WikiCommons

This struggle enabled Adolphe Thiers, president of the new government, to negotiate the retention of the Belfort district within French territory, despite its proximity to the Alsatian border.

A need for commemoration then arose. To honor the resistance of the city of Belfort, the city hall commissioned Auguste Bartholdi in 1872 to create a monumental sculpture on the cliffside.