HISTORY OF THE REVIEW: We are in 1880. Following the defeat of 1871, France loses a rich and industrial region, and owes the German Empire the sum of 5 billion gold francs to be paid in three years, a sum representing at the time about 20% of its GDP. As a guarantee of the settlement of this war debt, many departments are occupied, their evacuation being done as payments are made. Public loans are then raised... and the French have to tighten their belts... Exhausted households, and...
