From book: Alsace-Lorraine was a strange part of Germany's history since it had a long involvement with both Germany and France. Most of the population spoke German, but yet their sympathies went to France. France went out of its way in 1798 to provide the best for Alsace and to make the Germans into good Frenchmen. But in 1871 Alsace and Lorraine were made into an imperial territory of the German Empire with a plan to Germanize everyone living there. The people had a choice to become Germans or leave, and many did leave. They spoke German and had German customs; many had come from Germany and yet they wanted to be part of France. In 1919 when Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France, northern Lorraine easily became part of France; but Alsace had more German connections and the change was more difficult.