In the monograph, Organizing for War: France 1870-1914, Rachel Chrastil delivers a new perspective on the recovery after the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71). Chrastil provides an account of French citizens in their pursuit of recovery and preparation in the nation-state. Specifically, recovery from the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and preparation for future conflicts, so the French never have to face such a of defeat again. Chrastil offers a unique examination of the internal problems that challenged France, and the attempts to recover both the citizens and the state. The Franco-Prussian War served as a period for reconstruction, allowing the French citizens to reevaluate the responsibilities they had in times of war and adjust themselves…show more content… Chrastil’s Organizing for War consists of two parts, recovery and preparation, As Chrastil informs, French citizens, both men and women, participated in a variety of recovery and preparation efforts. These efforts included: fundraising efforts in attempt to pay off war indemnity following the Franco-Prussian War; the organization of commemorative spectacles, such as the Souvenir Français; the mobilization of physical education clubs for military preparation, such as the gymnastics and shooting clubs; the foundation of organizations such as the French Red Cross; and the development of different social strategies, in preparation for future conflicts. Through Chrastil’s broad range of both primary and secondary sources, she demonstrates “the evolution of private or semiprivate associations (such as the Red Cross), and the ways that these associations changed the relationship of citizens with the French state” (1). Thus, during the course of the monograph Chrastil argues that the private associations allowed the French citizens, in their recovery and preparation, to eventually accept, and continue to fight in, World War…show more content… The French Red Cross’ orientation toward the future, made it unique from past, private associations. Chrastil contends that associations such as the Red Cross “indicate that French civil society was more concerned with shaping the state’s actions and holding it accountable than with securing freedom from the state” (154). The Red Cross established a common goal; it helped in the recovery of sick and wounded soldiers, but also assisted in the preparation for future conflicts, in reorienting citizens of certain responsibilities. Chrastil claims that the Red Cross encouraged French citizens to prepare for war and the Red Cross “became increasingly linked with France’s foreign agenda of creating new alliances in Europe and establishing colonies abroad, thus making participation in the Red Cross synonymous with patriotic involvement in the life of the French nation” (128). The Red Cross’ function allowed for France to create a prepared society where France’s citizens could eventually accept and even continue fighting in future conflicts. I found it interesting that although Chrastil interprets how private associations, like the Red Cross and Sovenir Français, derived from prior conflicts such as