FillyofDelphi
Banned
Unique among the Kaiserreich's European territories, the former French province of Alsase-Lorraine; taken as we all know from France following the Franco-Prussian War and the initial formation of the German Empire, did not enjoy the local autonomy of the Empire's other component Kingdoms. Rather, it became an 'Imperial Territory' governed directly from Berlin, in a manner more similar to those African territories. Obviously, alongside ethno-lingusitic strife this contributed to alot of ill-well between the Alsasers and the rest of Germany, which made me wonder; what if Elasass-Lothringen (As the territory was known in German) had been formed into a Grand Duchy or Kingdom following its seizure from France, and treated as a part of Germany on par with the other substantial pre-existing states such as Bavaria or Saxony?
Obviously, there'd be a few issues: the language of administration, for one (Would the Imperial government insist they put all offical documentation and procedings in German? Could it be Bi-lingual?) and the identity of the monarch and just how much power they'd be given (Elevating a local notable to the rank of nobility is one option, but another possability is installing one of the houses deposed following the dissolution of their states in the Austro-Prussian War.) But these are hardly unsolvable issues.
Obviously, there'd be a few issues: the language of administration, for one (Would the Imperial government insist they put all offical documentation and procedings in German? Could it be Bi-lingual?) and the identity of the monarch and just how much power they'd be given (Elevating a local notable to the rank of nobility is one option, but another possability is installing one of the houses deposed following the dissolution of their states in the Austro-Prussian War.) But these are hardly unsolvable issues.