What is the dispute over Alsace Lorraine?

[madridi4verrr]

heeu !? Are you kidding ?
Having lived in this region for 2 years , I can tell you that Alsace is one of the most nationalistic regions in France , and the old people here have very strong anti-german sentiment ( Because of the past apparently ) .
But I agree that the some parts of the two regions ( especially alsace ) seems german , 90% of the city names sounds german and the architecture is strongely german influenced ( even the panels are writen in french and german ) , but culturally the people living here are more french than german that's for sure ( when you cross the borders it's a totally diffrent mindset and people ... )

[Skomand]

http://mondediplo.com/1998/05/07bihr
BREEDING GROUND OF THE FAR RIGHT
Alsace, exception to the rule

[Skomand]

" ...The few years of National Socialist rule achieved, what France had never achieved from 1919 to 1940: The Alsatians turned now unconditionally to France, and German culture and language in Alsace were permanently on the defensive...."

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malgr%C3%A9-nous

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malgr%C3%A9-nous

[CordedWhelp]

My uncle's paternal side traces back to the Alsace a good few generations, but says his ancestors considered themselves Frenchman even before the area was annexed by france. Strange.

[Visitor_22]

It's one of those lands that Germany lost after WW1.

[Skomand]

Strasbourg became French in 1681 for the first time.
http://www.zum.de/whkmla/military/17...sburg1681.html
When it became German again in 1871, enough time had elapsed for them to assimilate to France.
Although in the core I think mentalitywise they are close to their Alemannic neighbours.

[Ouistreham]

My uncle's paternal side traces back to the Alsace a good few generations, but says his ancestors considered themselves Frenchman even before the area was annexed by france. Strange.

Somewhat weird, I know, but that's the way it is.

Although in the core I think mentalitywise they are close to their Alemannic neighbours.

Exactly! They glorify their Frenchness mit schwäbischen Gründlichkeit but don't tell them that way, it would make them angry. Very weird...

[Skomand]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uGzNl57RcU

Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal coach, is from Alsace. In this interview he speaks High German.


Tomi Ungerer, the most popular Alsatian alive.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryNgfk49cjk