Why did the French want Saarland?
Why did the French want Saarland?
Saarland was established in 1920 after World War I as the Territory of the Saar Basin, occupied and governed by France under a League of Nations mandate. The heavily industrialized region was economically valuable, due to the wealth of its coal deposits and location on the border between France and Germany.
Which country is Saarland?
Germany
Saarland, also called Saar, Land (state) in the southwestern portion of Germany. It is bounded by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate to the north and east and by the countries of France to the south and southwest and Luxembourg to the northwest. The capital is Saarbrücken. Area 992 square miles (2,569 square km).
What happened in the Saarland in 1935?
A referendum on territorial status was held in the Territory of the Saar Basin on 13 January 1935. Over 90% of voters opted for reunification with Germany, with 9% voting for the status quo as a League of Nations mandate territory and less than 0.5% opting for unification with France.
What is Saarland known for?
For about 250 years, Saarland was dominated by the steel and coal industries. They became unprofitable in the 1980s, when numerous mines and smelting plants were closed down. Nowadays you can tour many of them. The best-known is the Völklingen Ironworks, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994.
What did the Treaty of Versailles decide about Danzig?
1921: The Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to surrender its hold on the city of Danzig, which came under League of Nations control. In January 1939, he told Polish Foreign Minister Josef Beck, “Danzig was German, would always remain German, and sooner or later would return to Germany.”
How is life in Saarbrucken?
Life in Saarland is very enjoyable unless you need the hustle and noise of big city life. Things generally move a bit slower, more relaxed. There is a heavy French influence in Saarland, such as good french food, long lunches and many cross border shoppers.