Frankfurt, Treaty of 1871

the treaty between Germany and France that concluded the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71.

The principal articles of the Treaty of Frankfurt were contained in a preliminary peace treaty signed on Feb. 26, 1871, at Versailles. The peace treaty itself was signed on May 10 in Frankfurt am Main. France ceded Alsace and northeastern Lorraine and pledged to pay an indemnity of 5 billion francs: 1.5 billion to be paid in 1871, 0.5 billion in 1872, and 3 billion before March 1874. German occupation troops were to remain on French territory and be withdrawn as the payments were made; the expense of maintaining the occupation troops was to be borne by France.

The Treaty of Frankfurt, which helped strengthen the German Empire, deepened the antagonism between Germany and France and became a factor in the increase of tensions in Europe. The terms of the treaty were abrogated by the Peace Treaty of Versailles of 1919.