Why did Germany want Alsace-Lorraine?

Treaty of Frankfurt (1871) The main factors were strategic, political and cultural. It is said that economy played a lesser role, even though the loss of Alsace Lorraine was a severe blow to the French economy. read more

A. It had the best grape-growing region in the world. B. France needed a buffer zone between Germany. C. It was home to much of France's long heritage. D. France had lost it to Germany in a previous war. read more

It was a consensus in Germany that Alsace-Lorraine was part of Germany as a nation for historical and language reasons. It was considered irrelevant that the majority of the inhabitants didn't want to join Germany. read more

You seem to have things mixed up a bit. Germany seized Alsace Lorraine from France in 1871 (Franco-Prussian war) and after that, obviously, France wanted it back. read more