Formation of The German Empire
The North German Confederation, led by the Kingdom of Prussia, was combined with the southern states of Baden, Württemberg, Bavaria and Hesse and the formerly French newly annexed Alsace-Lorraine to form the German Empire in 1871. In some areas of Prussia's eastern provinces, such as the Province of Posen, the majority of the population was Polish. Many Lorrainians were by native language French. Most of the Alsatians and of the Lorrainians of German native language rather clung to France, despite all nationalistic claim that language and culture would and should determine one's national affiliation.
Read more about this topic: Territorial Evolution Of Germany
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