Germany annexed Alsace-Lorraine in 1871 after the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. The administration of the province was difficult, since the local population resented being incorporated into Germany. The conflict between civilians and Prussian military authorities culminated in the so-called Zabern Affair of 1913. powerless Alsatian citizens and a larger-than-life Prussian officer, scoops up frightened villagers.