Vintage: Historic B&W photos of Alsace Lorraine, Germany (1890s)

Vintage: Historic B&W photos of Alsace Lorraine, Germany (1890s)

MonoVisions Black & White Photo Contest 2025

In 1871, the newly created German Empire’s demand for Alsace from France after its victory in the Franco-Prussian War was not simply a punitive measure. The transfer was controversial even among the Germans: The German Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, was initially opposed to it, as he thought (correctly) it would engender permanent French enmity toward Germany. Some German industrialists did not want the competition from Alsatian industries, such as the cloth makers who would be exposed to competition from the sizeable industry in Mulhouse. Karl Marx also warned his fellow Germans: “If Alsace and Lorraine are taken, then France will later make war on Germany in conjunction with Russia. It is unnecessary to go into the unholy consequences.”

Bismarck and the South German industrialists proposed to have Alsace ceded to Switzerland, while Switzerland would compensate Germany with another territory. The Swiss rejected the proposal, preferring to remain neutral between the French and Germans.

German Gate, Metz, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

German Gate, Metz, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Ney's Memorial, Esplanade, Metz, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Ney’s Memorial, Esplanade, Metz, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Todtenbrucke, Metz, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Todtenbrucke, Metz, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Middle Bridge, Metz, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Middle Bridge, Metz, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Rhone and Rhine Canal and Post, Mulhausen, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Rhone and Rhine Canal and Post, Mulhausen, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Hotel de Ville (town hall), Mulhausen, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Hotel de Ville (town hall), Mulhausen, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

View from south, Mulhausen, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

View from south, Mulhausen, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Place du Quartier Neff, Mulhausen, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Place du Quartier Neff, Mulhausen, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Promenade and St. Genieve Church, Mulhausen, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Promenade and St. Genieve Church, Mulhausen, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Strassburg, general view, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Strassburg, general view, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

The University and bridge, Strassburg, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

The University and bridge, Strassburg, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Imperial Palace, theater and cathedral, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Imperial Palace, theater and cathedral, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Kleber Place, Strassburg, Alsace Lorraine, Germany

Kleber Place, Strassburg, Alsace Lorraine, Germany


MonoVisions Black & White Photo Contest 2025