We explain what the Alsace and Lorena region was and what was its importance in conflicts between France and Germany.
What is Alsace and Lorena?
Alsacia and Lorena was A historical region formed by most of the Alsacia region and a part of the Lorena region. Currently, Alsacia and Lorena are two areas that are part of the administrative region of the Gran Este, In the northeast of France.
The Alsace and Lorena region was converted into an imperial territory or Reichsland of the German Empire in 1871, after the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian war. Germany decided Annexar Alsacia and Lorena because it had a large amount of German -speaking population and also contained important iron deposits and steel plants.
When Germany was defeated in World War I (1914-1918), The Versailles Treaty signed in 1919 determined the return of Alsacia and Lorena to France. When World War II (1939-1945) broke out and Nazi Germany invaded France in 1940, Alsace and Lorena was again annexed by Germany. However, German defeat led to the French recovery of the region in 1945.
Frequent questions
What is Alsace and Lorena?
Alsacia and Lorena was a historical region located in the current region of the Great Este, in the northeast of France. Acquired the character of the imperial territory of Germany in 1871, when it was annexed by the nascent German empire. The importance of this region was due to its abundance in iron ore and its industrial infrastructure. In addition, the region had a high percentage of German -speaking population and combined French and German cultural influences.
What countries faced with Alsacia and Lorena?
The countries that faced Alsacia and Lorena were France and Germany. The German annexation of Alsace and Lorena in 1871 caused an antialemán feeling in France. After the First World War, France recovered the region but lost it again during the Nazi invasion of 1940. After the 1945 ally victory, Alsace and Lorena became part of France again.
When did France yield to Alsace and Lorena?
After the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), the German Empire was annexed by Alsace and Lorena by signing Frankfurt Treaty and turned the region into an imperial territory (Reichsland).
When did Germany yield to Alsace and Lorena?
The German defeat in World War I led to the signing of the Versailles Treaty (1919) that returned Alsacia and Lorena to France. In 1940, during the Nazi invasion of France, Alsacia and Lorena was again annexed by Germany, but the allied triumph allowed French recovery in 1945. Currently, Alsace and Lorena are two areas that are part of the French region of the Great East.
- See also: World War I peace treaties
History of Alsace and Lorena
During the Middle Ages, the regions of Alsace and Lorena were part of the Holy Roman Empire. Subsequently, Alsace belonged to France since 1648 and Lorena was under the French influence Since the 16th century and belonged to the country since the 18th century. After the French Revolution of 1789, the Alsatians, mostly German -speaking and Protestant religion, chose to maintain their belonging to France.
After the Franco-Prussian war that began in 1870 and ended with the German victory in 1871, Most of Alsacia and northern Lorena became belonging to the German Reich. Thus became An imperial territory or Reichsland that was called Alsacia and Lorena. The Frankfurt Treaty of 1871, which formalized the territorial assignment, allowed France to emigrate to the inhabitants of Alsace and Lorena who wanted to preserve French citizenship.
The German annexation of Alsace and Lorena caused an antialemán feeling in the French populationwhich was also economically affected by the loss of a territory rich in iron. On the other hand, the German oppressive policy and the attempts of forced “Germanization” made most of the population of Alsace and Lorena willingly accept the return to France after the end of World War I.
The French recovery of Alsacia and Lorena was completed with the signing of the Versailles Treaty In June 1919. However, the centralist attitudes of France, which sought to eliminate the specific cultural features of this region, characterized by a combination of French and German elements, created discontent against France.
After the Nazi invasion of France in the context of World War II, Alsacia and Lorena returned to German hands Between 1940 and 1945. After the German defeat in the war in 1945, it was definitely under French sovereignty.
Currently, Alsacia and Lorena are two areas that are part of the French region of the Gran Este. They are very economically developed areas and have no significant nationalist problems, because the French government abandoned the centralist policies of the interwar period. Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace and official headquarters of the European Parliament, became a symbol of European unit.
Continue with:
- Europe in the twentieth century
- Background of World War I
References
- Badsey, S. (2003). The Francisian War 1870-1871. Osprey Publishing.
- Britannica, Encyclopaedia (2023). ALSACE-LORRAINE. Britannica Encyclopedia. https://www.britannica.com/
- Britannica, Encyclopaedia (2023). Franco-German War. Britannica Encyclopedia. https://www.britannica.com/
- Carpentier, J. & Lebrun, F. (Dirs.) (2006). Brief history of Europe. Alliance.
