German troops leave France after indemnity payment

Treaty Obligations. The Treaty of Frankfurt, signed in May 1871, established the terms for ending the Franco-Prussian War. It required France to pay a war indemnity of five billion francs, originally due within five years. The treaty also mandated military occupation in parts of France until this indemnity was fully paid, creating a direct link between financial settlement and the withdrawal of German forces.

Financial Acceleration. France paid the indemnity quicker than the agreed five-year timeframe. The treaty required a full payment of 5,000,000,000 francs in gold, with one billion due in 1871, before any German forces could withdraw. This accelerated financial compliance allowed the withdrawal to occur in September 1873, significantly earlier than the original deadline.

End of Occupation. The completion of the indemnity payment triggered the withdrawal of German forces from northern France in September 1873. This event marked the end of the military occupation stipulated by the Treaty of Frankfurt. The withdrawal was contingent on the full financial settlement, demonstrating the treaty's enforcement mechanism through economic leverage.