The 'Treaty of Frankfurt' (; ) was a
peace treaty signed in
Frankfurt on
May 10,
1871, at the end of the
Franco-Prussian War. The terms of the treaty, regarded as harsh among the French, created a general animosity among them towards Germany, known as
revanchism. The French resentment of the terms of the treaty indirectly led to the entangled alliances preceding World War I, and to the Great War itself.
The treaty:
★ Confirmed the frontier between the
French Third Republic and the
German Empire - involving the annexation of most of
Alsace and the
Lorraine departement of
Moselle
★ Gave residents of the annexed
Alsace-Lorraine region until
October 1,
1872 to decide between keeping their French nationality and emigrating, or to remain in the region and become German citizens.
★ Set a framework for the withdrawal of German troops from certain areas
★ Regulated the payment of France's war indemnity of five billion francs (due within three years)
★ Recognized the acceptance of
William I of Prussia to be
German Emperor
★ Required military occupation in parts of France until the staggering indemnity was paid (to the surprise of Germany, the French paid the indemnity quickly)
The treaty also clarified the following points:
★ The use of navigable waterways in connection to Alsace-Lorraine
★ Trade between the two countries
★ The return of prisoners of war