The preliminary Treaty of Versailles of 1871 ended the Franco-Prussian War. It was signed by Otto von Bismarck for Germany and Adolphe Thiers for France. It was ratified in the same year in the Treaty of Frankfurt (1871-05-10) when matters such as the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine were discussed. France ceded Alsace (excluding the Territory of Belfort) and the Lorraine departement of Moselle, including Metz, to Germany and agreed to pay an indemnity of 5 billion francs. It also provided that German occupation troops remain until payment was completed.
