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The Treaty of Brussels


With the French capitulation, peace talks were held in Brussels, Belgium on the 2nd of February 1906. Germany had entered the talks with the aim of punishing France severely for their perceived “role” in causing the war. However much to their chagrin, Great Britain arrived in full diplomatic support of the defeated French, and completely opposed German demands, including but not limited to the ceding of Lorraine to Germany, the annexation of Luxembourg to Germany, extensive reparations from France and the annexation of substantial French colonies in Africa and Asia.

The peace talks nearly fell apart and war breaking out between Great Britain and Germany but calmer heads prevailed. The launching of the HMS Dreadnought exposed how outclassed the High Seas Fleet was, while many in the British Government saw the German Heer as unbeatable. Eventually, after much negotiation, the Treaty of Brussels was signed on the 30 March with the following terms:

- France is to cede Longwy-Briey to Germany.

- The rest of French Lorraine is to be demilitarise

- France is to accept full responsibility for the war

- Morocco is to retain independence

- France is to cede French Cameroon, Gabon, French Congo and Madagascar to Germany

- Indochina is to be split between Great Britain, Germany and Japan

- France is to pay the sum of 800 million pounds to Germany

Along with other clauses.

The treaty of Brussels effectively strengthened Germanys grip on the continent while France was finished as a great power for the next years. However, the Treaty also highlighted the growing opposition to German hegemony by Great Britain, and the beginnings of an anti-German coalition were beginning to show.