Reading a book on the siege of Paris I discovered a claim that Bismark offered terms to France based on paying 3 billion francs and ceding Lorraine but warned that if the war continued it would go to 3 billion and both Alsace and Lorraine.
If true how might France have been convinced to surrender earlier and what would the consequences have been with a France 2 billion francs wealthier and still owning Alsace?
If true how might France have been convinced to surrender earlier and what would the consequences have been with a France 2 billion francs wealthier and still owning Alsace?