what if the Germans had imposed in the Franco-Prussian war peace terms, the transfer of Nice back to Italy, in addition to the bilateral indemnity and the German annexation of Alsace-Lorraine?
Italy was not a co belligerent on Prussia’s side but the Prussians are motivated to do this to mess further with France, cultivate Italian favor, and set the two at odds with one another.
Even though the French find this obnoxious, are they really in any position to refuse, given the siege of Paris and the Commune?
Will Italy accept this unsolicited gift? Or will Italy refuse, seeing it as dishonorable and an obvious German diplomatic trap?
If Italy accepts the gift, does it do irreparable harm to Franco-Italian relations, or can the French find a way to get over it?