| Strassburg; Elsass-Lothringen |
A Free Imperial city and seat of a bishopric, Strassburg
was one of the larger cities of the Holy Roman Empire
and the hub of the central Elsass (Alsace), a region of
historically political fragmentation. The original site of
Strassburg was a Celtic settlement captured by Romans
and replaced by the fort of Argentoratum.
was one of the larger cities of the Holy Roman Empire
and the hub of the central Elsass (Alsace), a region of
historically political fragmentation. The original site of
Strassburg was a Celtic settlement captured by Romans
and replaced by the fort of Argentoratum.
Around the year 400, the Alamanni seized it from the Romans, and the whole of Alsace fell into their
hands until it passed to the Franks at the end of the 5th century. The area of Lothringen (Lorraine)
fell within the Roman provinces of Germania Superior and Maxima Sequanorum for 500 years, and
witnessed the arrival of the Germanic Triboci. In the 5th century, other German tribes, including the
Alamanni, arrived and stayed until driven out by the Franks, who then took the area. The name
Lothringen is derived from Charlemagne's grandson, Lothair I., who was given the territory of
Lotharingia in 843.The duchy was then re-established after the death of the German king Heinrich I.
and it became hereditary in the Hohenstaufen family. In 842, the so called "Strassburg Oaths"
between Charles the Bold and Louis the German were taken here.
hands until it passed to the Franks at the end of the 5th century. The area of Lothringen (Lorraine)
fell within the Roman provinces of Germania Superior and Maxima Sequanorum for 500 years, and
witnessed the arrival of the Germanic Triboci. In the 5th century, other German tribes, including the
Alamanni, arrived and stayed until driven out by the Franks, who then took the area. The name
Lothringen is derived from Charlemagne's grandson, Lothair I., who was given the territory of
Lotharingia in 843.The duchy was then re-established after the death of the German king Heinrich I.
and it became hereditary in the Hohenstaufen family. In 842, the so called "Strassburg Oaths"
between Charles the Bold and Louis the German were taken here.
Elsass was also home to a group of Anabaptists and later the scene of a peasants revolt. After the
Schmalkaldic War, 1546-1547, Strassburg had to readmit Catholic religious masses and some
prominent Protestant leaders fled the city. In 1551, the city accepted the Augsburg Interim. In the
Thirty Years War, Strassburg took a stance of neutrality and escaped without major destruction.
Schmalkaldic War, 1546-1547, Strassburg had to readmit Catholic religious masses and some
prominent Protestant leaders fled the city. In 1551, the city accepted the Augsburg Interim. In the
Thirty Years War, Strassburg took a stance of neutrality and escaped without major destruction.
In the war of 1870-71, Strassburg was bitterly surrendered back to her German homeland after a
seven week siege in 1871. Before the Prussian-Franco War, more than half of the inhabitants still
spoke German, and this proportion increased greatly afterwards.
seven week siege in 1871. Before the Prussian-Franco War, more than half of the inhabitants still
spoke German, and this proportion increased greatly afterwards.
50 year residents, or Germans who had settled in Elsass since 1871,
were expelled, breaking some families apart, and strict policies forbidding
the use of the German language and requiring the use of French were
introduced. france refused to extend to Srassburg the same rights as they
gave other French cities in regards to separation of church and state.
were expelled, breaking some families apart, and strict policies forbidding
the use of the German language and requiring the use of French were
introduced. france refused to extend to Srassburg the same rights as they
gave other French cities in regards to separation of church and state.
Several attempts by the German speaking population in Elsass-Lothringen to make schools preserve their German
language were rejected. While there are a few scattered bilingual kindergartens and schools, and the German minority has
a well established status in today's society, the French State bulks at demands for the recognition of language, culture and
religion of this minority. An individual is allowed to speak their language with partners, children and friends, but there is no
official or legal recognition of or effort to preserve the traditional minority culture, at least a German minority culture.
Strassburg is (ironically) the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights and it hosts a seat of
the European Parliament, together with Brussels
language were rejected. While there are a few scattered bilingual kindergartens and schools, and the German minority has
a well established status in today's society, the French State bulks at demands for the recognition of language, culture and
religion of this minority. An individual is allowed to speak their language with partners, children and friends, but there is no
official or legal recognition of or effort to preserve the traditional minority culture, at least a German minority culture.
Strassburg is (ironically) the seat of the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights and it hosts a seat of
the European Parliament, together with Brussels
In 923, the Duke of Lothringen ceded the city to German king Heinrich I., firmly establishing the
connection of the city of Strassburg with the German kingdom for the next 7 centuries.
connection of the city of Strassburg with the German kingdom for the next 7 centuries.
At the Battle of Oberhausbergen in 1262, German king Philip of Swabia conferred upon Strassburg
rights a free imperial city, which favored citizens' rights. The city on the Rhine was of major
importance to trade, and since Strassburg had printing presses since 1459, Luther's 95 Theses and
the German bible were introduced in Strassburg between 1523 and 1534. During the reformation, a
Catholic minority still remained in the city and their monasteries continued to exist.
rights a free imperial city, which favored citizens' rights. The city on the Rhine was of major
importance to trade, and since Strassburg had printing presses since 1459, Luther's 95 Theses and
the German bible were introduced in Strassburg between 1523 and 1534. During the reformation, a
Catholic minority still remained in the city and their monasteries continued to exist.
In 1536, Strassburg officially, but rather independently, adopted Lutheranism. The Strassburg school
system distinguished itself and greatly advanced. The University of Strassburg, founded in 1567,
would later be suppressed during the French Revolution as a stronghold of German sentiment.
system distinguished itself and greatly advanced. The University of Strassburg, founded in 1567,
would later be suppressed during the French Revolution as a stronghold of German sentiment.
Elsass, however, was devastated by the Swedes and the French in the Thirty Years' War, and in
1648, the German rulers had no choice but to cede the area to France in the treaty of Westphalia.
Depopulated and uncultivated, it languished. Elsass-Lothringin was clearly German speaking when it
came under French rule. French King Louis XIV., while planning to seize Holland, also wanted to
take even more of the Rhine territory, and in 1680 laid his claim to a number of territories belonging
to German princes who were so impoverished and depleted because of the wars that they were
helpless in resisting his aggression.
1648, the German rulers had no choice but to cede the area to France in the treaty of Westphalia.
Depopulated and uncultivated, it languished. Elsass-Lothringin was clearly German speaking when it
came under French rule. French King Louis XIV., while planning to seize Holland, also wanted to
take even more of the Rhine territory, and in 1680 laid his claim to a number of territories belonging
to German princes who were so impoverished and depleted because of the wars that they were
helpless in resisting his aggression.
Strassburg, German and Protestant in character, was suddenly and
unjustifiably seized and annexed by France during a time of peace and
yet this dubious action received formal recognition at the Peace of
Ryswick in 1697. Immediately this change favored Catholicism, but the
city still remained essentially German until the French Revolution, when
it was deprived of its privileges as a free town. The episcopal lands and
smaller territories, including Mülhausen, which had been a republic
allied to Germany, were annexed by France in 1789.
unjustifiably seized and annexed by France during a time of peace and
yet this dubious action received formal recognition at the Peace of
Ryswick in 1697. Immediately this change favored Catholicism, but the
city still remained essentially German until the French Revolution, when
it was deprived of its privileges as a free town. The episcopal lands and
smaller territories, including Mülhausen, which had been a republic
allied to Germany, were annexed by France in 1789.
Elsass remained a part of Germany until the end of World War One,
when Germany was forced to cede it back to France under the Treaty of
Versailles, even though Strassburg was by then almost exclusively German
speaking. It was not offered the plebiscite granted to some of the eastern
German territories at this time.
when Germany was forced to cede it back to France under the Treaty of
Versailles, even though Strassburg was by then almost exclusively German
speaking. It was not offered the plebiscite granted to some of the eastern
German territories at this time.
Needless to say, Germany annexed it from 1940-1945, with the Elsass
merged with Baden and Lothringen with the Saarland. France regained
control of the war-torn area again in 1944 and resumed its ethnically
repressive policy of promoting the French language. The use of German
in newspapers was restricted to a maximum of 25% from 1945 to 1984.
To save face in modern times, France has "tolerated" a bit of German
language, but by now, the young have been trained to speak in French.
The minority Germans do not enjoy any official legal recognition, and
measures taken to obtain such recognition have generally failed.
merged with Baden and Lothringen with the Saarland. France regained
control of the war-torn area again in 1944 and resumed its ethnically
repressive policy of promoting the French language. The use of German
in newspapers was restricted to a maximum of 25% from 1945 to 1984.
To save face in modern times, France has "tolerated" a bit of German
language, but by now, the young have been trained to speak in French.
The minority Germans do not enjoy any official legal recognition, and
measures taken to obtain such recognition have generally failed.
Even though Strassburg had been annexed by France in 1683, it still
remained connected to the German-speaking intellectual world through
the 18th century and the great university attracted numerous students
from throughout the Holy Roman Empire, including Goethe.
remained connected to the German-speaking intellectual world through
the 18th century and the great university attracted numerous students
from throughout the Holy Roman Empire, including Goethe.
| Old German Lands |
| Beyond the Stinky Cheese: German Belgium |
The province of Limburg has as distinct a character as its cheese. It is today the southernmost of the
twelve provinces of the Netherlands, located in the south-east of the country, with Maastricht as its
capital. It is bordered by Belgium in the west and Germany in the east. The original duchy of
Limburg extended into present Germany. This should not be confused with the town of Limburg in
Germany proper. Because of its strategic importance, Romans, Spaniards, Prussians, Austrians and
French have all ruled Limburg although Limburgians were always defiant, and managed to maintain
their own language, called Limburgish, which since 1997 is an official regional language, and as such
receives moderate protection under Chapter 2 of the European Charter for Regional or Minority
Languages. Even so, it is not recognised by the Dutch, German or Belgian governments as an official
language even though it is spoken by an estimated 4 million people in those countries. It even has
distinct "sub-dialects" depending on which border one lives near, and the Limburgians have fought to
preserve these regional dialects as well. Dutch, German and Belgian and English are spoken as well.
twelve provinces of the Netherlands, located in the south-east of the country, with Maastricht as its
capital. It is bordered by Belgium in the west and Germany in the east. The original duchy of
Limburg extended into present Germany. This should not be confused with the town of Limburg in
Germany proper. Because of its strategic importance, Romans, Spaniards, Prussians, Austrians and
French have all ruled Limburg although Limburgians were always defiant, and managed to maintain
their own language, called Limburgish, which since 1997 is an official regional language, and as such
receives moderate protection under Chapter 2 of the European Charter for Regional or Minority
Languages. Even so, it is not recognised by the Dutch, German or Belgian governments as an official
language even though it is spoken by an estimated 4 million people in those countries. It even has
distinct "sub-dialects" depending on which border one lives near, and the Limburgians have fought to
preserve these regional dialects as well. Dutch, German and Belgian and English are spoken as well.
The German presence in Eastern Belgium goes back just as far. German is the language spoken in a
small 850-square-kilometre strip of land along Belgium's eastern border, and it is home to Belgium's
71,000 minority German community. Until 1919, much of this area belonged to Germany, and even
Malmedy, now incorporated into Belgium's French-speaking region, had been part of the German
empire. But, even though the population of Eupen and Malmedy fought alongside the German Reich
during World War I, the Treaty of Versailles in 1919-1920 gave the circles of Eupen and Malmedy to
Belgium after a staged and disputed consultation of the people took place, and the incorporation into
Belgium brought about discontent from the population.
small 850-square-kilometre strip of land along Belgium's eastern border, and it is home to Belgium's
71,000 minority German community. Until 1919, much of this area belonged to Germany, and even
Malmedy, now incorporated into Belgium's French-speaking region, had been part of the German
empire. But, even though the population of Eupen and Malmedy fought alongside the German Reich
during World War I, the Treaty of Versailles in 1919-1920 gave the circles of Eupen and Malmedy to
Belgium after a staged and disputed consultation of the people took place, and the incorporation into
Belgium brought about discontent from the population.
Needless to say, this led to its being annexed to Germany in World War Two, and many of its citizens fought on the
German side. After the "liberation" of the region by the Allied forces, it was put under Belgian control again and the new
Belgian State started evacuating collaborators and supposed collaborators of the Nazi regime, an unpopular move seen as
grossly unfair since Belgium had not really objected to the incorporation of the territory into Germany at the time it was
carried out. The three fair and ancient cities of St. Vith, Malmedy and Eupen were completely destroyed during the Battle
of the Bulge and severe bombing before being "reabsorbed" into Belgium after the war. Malmedy and Stavelot became
part of the French-speaking region, while St.Vith, Eupen and other towns remained "Teutonic."
Unlike in other areas taken from Germany after the wars, German became one of Belgium's official languages, alongside
of French and Dutch in the early 1960's, and since has been the official language of the region. It later became the main
language in schools and courts. French is the second language for schoolchildren, and the third either English or Dutch,
although there are no all-German universities. Eupen is the seat of the regional government, with St. Vith unofficially
known as eastern Belgium's cultural capital. There is a massive German-Belgian nature preserve known as Hohes
Venn-Eifel spanning the borders, and the area is naturally beautiful.
German side. After the "liberation" of the region by the Allied forces, it was put under Belgian control again and the new
Belgian State started evacuating collaborators and supposed collaborators of the Nazi regime, an unpopular move seen as
grossly unfair since Belgium had not really objected to the incorporation of the territory into Germany at the time it was
carried out. The three fair and ancient cities of St. Vith, Malmedy and Eupen were completely destroyed during the Battle
of the Bulge and severe bombing before being "reabsorbed" into Belgium after the war. Malmedy and Stavelot became
part of the French-speaking region, while St.Vith, Eupen and other towns remained "Teutonic."
Unlike in other areas taken from Germany after the wars, German became one of Belgium's official languages, alongside
of French and Dutch in the early 1960's, and since has been the official language of the region. It later became the main
language in schools and courts. French is the second language for schoolchildren, and the third either English or Dutch,
although there are no all-German universities. Eupen is the seat of the regional government, with St. Vith unofficially
known as eastern Belgium's cultural capital. There is a massive German-Belgian nature preserve known as Hohes
Venn-Eifel spanning the borders, and the area is naturally beautiful.
Elsass once more became German under Bismarck, who gave the people until September 30, 1872
to declare their loyalty to either Prussia or France. The overwhelming majority agreed to stay, but
45,000 elected to remain French, and left. France's bitter desire to recover the lost provinces they
had themselves once stolen was one of the factors that led to World War One.
to declare their loyalty to either Prussia or France. The overwhelming majority agreed to stay, but
45,000 elected to remain French, and left. France's bitter desire to recover the lost provinces they
had themselves once stolen was one of the factors that led to World War One.
A strong revisionist movement challenged the conventional measures of the Treaty of Versailles, but
was seen at that time as "instigation by Germany." From 1926, onwards, the ‘"new Belgians" of
Eupen and Malmedy were governed by the Belgian constitution and laws as full Belgians. However,
the Belgian State really needed money and had secret negotiations with Germany in order to sell its
territory to them for 200 million gold marks, an attempt which came to nothing since France objected.
was seen at that time as "instigation by Germany." From 1926, onwards, the ‘"new Belgians" of
Eupen and Malmedy were governed by the Belgian constitution and laws as full Belgians. However,
the Belgian State really needed money and had secret negotiations with Germany in order to sell its
territory to them for 200 million gold marks, an attempt which came to nothing since France objected.