2006 DBQ

The area of Alsace and Lorraine exists between France and Germany. Over the course of five
centuries, Alsace Lorraine would alternate in ceding to either Germany or France. This created a
conflicted cultural identity for Alsace Lorraine. With Alsace Lorraine ceding to Germany, the
Alsatians considered themselves as French, and followed French culture. However, Germany
suppressed most French culture and by World War I, many Alsatians identified themselves with
the Germans.
The region of Alsace Loraine ceded to Prussia in 1871. However, at this point it was already
clear that there was controversy in doing so (Doc 1). For at this point Alsace Loraine had still
wanted to be part of France (Doc 2). As a response to France agreeing for Alsace Loraine to be
ceded to Germany, a declaration was presented by Alsatian deputies to the French assembly. It
outlined Alsace Loraines strong desire to be with France rather than Germany. However, the ties
between France and Alsace Loraine did not prevent them from ceding to Germany. Once Alsace
Loraine had ceded to Germany the German government began to Germanify the region. This was
because the strong nationalistic ties between France and Alsace Loraine suppressed all German
culture within the area (Doc 3). By 1879 the Germans were successful in bringing forth German
culture. A government report from that year showed that German was now the dominant
language spoken by most of Alsatians. Furthermore, the number of French speakers were
drastically lowered (Doc 6). While German culture was now present in Alsace, it did not change
Alsatians view on ceding to France (Doc 5). A speech more than 20 years after Alsace ceded to
German showed that many Alsatian identified with France, rather than with Germany (Doc 7).
With the rise of World War I, the view towards Alsaces identity had changed. Germany was now
more aware that even though they had suppressed much of the French culture outside the home,
within the home French culture dominated (Doc 9). There was also a territorial issue now at play.
The region of Alsace played an important role from a military standpoint. Thus, Germany knew
that it was essential to gain the support of Alsace to win World War I (Doc 8). Many of the rules
that were previously implemented to prevent Alsace culture to be assimilated with French culture
were still at play (Doc 10). A childrens book published by a French author during the war shows
how a German officers would report French writing outside a building in Alsace. However, by
now Germans and Alsatians were becoming more assimilated (Doc 9). In a book published long
after World War I, an Alsatian Priest recalls how during his boyhood he was with Germans
during most of day (Doc 12). With this, German nationalism spread among many of the Alsatian.
Now French culture had been fully suppressed. Many Alsatians even fought in the war against
France. After World War I, Alsaces culture and identity became divided once again. After World
War I, Alsace was returned to France. However, German nationalism had already been gaining
momentum. When World War II came around, Alsatians were now divided, whether they were
identified as Germans or as French. While some sided with France others now wished to return
to Germany (Doc 11).
The culture and identity of Alsace Loraine changed as it ceded from France to Germany, and
then back to France. As Alsace Loraine was ceded to a new country, its cultural identity was that
of the country it had belonged to prior. In all instance Alsace Loraine culture and identity was
divided among France and Germany. In turn, these countries tried to suppress the others culture,
showing a general resentment to the culture in Alsace Loraine.