The Insulted Ambassador Incident
In 1870, the Ems Dispatch — a telegram summarizing a diplomatic insult between the French and Prussians — was edited and leaked to the public. The edited version made the French sound petty and the Prussians arrogant. Cue outrage, national pride, and eventually the Franco-Prussian War.
The war changed the map of Europe and led to the unification of Germany. All because someone couldn’t resist sending a spicy email (well, telegram). Proof that diplomacy should never be conducted by people who enjoy drama.
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