When the [[Franco-Prussian War]] began in 1870, France was under the control of Emperor [[Napoleon III of France|Louis Napoleon III]]. A [[National Assembly of France|National Assembly]] was based in [[Paris]], but its powers were limited. Widespread discontent amongst Assembly members before the war, particularly amongst [[socialist]] members, had given Louis-Napoleon many enemies. At the disastrous [[battle of Sedan]], Louis-Napoleon was captured by the [[Prussia]]n Army, leaving France effectively without a government. When news of Louis-Napoleon's capture reached Paris, leading members of the National Assembly rushed to the [[Hôtel de Ville, Paris|Hôtel de Ville]] to declare a new government. At the Hôtel de Ville, [[Léon Gambetta]] publicly declared the founding of the Government of National Defence on September 4, and the government immediately assumed control of all affairs in France, intending to continue the war against Prussia.
