Annexations of Alsace–Lorraine

Located between the Meuse and Rhine rivers, Alsace and Lorraine were at the center of the Carolingian Empire during the Middle Age. The territories were initially part of the Western Roman Empire and later annexed by the Holy Roman Empire. In the 16th century, they were annexed by the Kingdom of France. Part of these same territories were then annexed by the German Empire in the 19th century, before returning to France at the end of World War I. During World War II (1940-1945), they were annexed again by the Third Reich, before final return to French rule at the end of the war.