Talk:Franco-Prussian War

German speaking citizens of France residing in Alsace-Lorraine were forced to give up their democratic rights and voting in elections once the Second German Empire was declared.

That sounds absurd - and it is definitely wrong.

• If you did not emigrate, you became a German citizen, regardless of your language.
• Citizens took part in local elections and in General Elections for the Imperial Dais, the Reichstag.

That said, the administration of Alsace-Lorraine by German officials was heavy-handed, often misguided, and certainly created more French patriotism than warm feelings for Germany (look up the Zabern Affair....) --AugustO (talk) 10:58, 21 February 2019 (EST)

Yes, I know all about it. German participatory democracy was not quite the same as French democracy for all citizens west of the Rhine. Alsace-Lorraine in fact was held under Prussian military occupation for a number of years. Friedrich Engels wrote about Alsatians adjusting to French rule, as well. RobS^{Deep Six the Deep State!} 12:17, 21 February 2019 (EST)