Last but not least was the burden of supporting the German army of occupation that kept its grip on the north-east of France until, as the instalments came in, the foreign troops were proportionately drawn away eastwards.

The magnitude of these losses and burdens had already aroused cries of anguish in France.

The National Assembly at Bordeaux, on first hearing the terms, passionately confirmed the deposition of Napoleon III.; while the deputies from the ceded districts lodged a solemn protest against their expatriation (March 1).

Some of the advanced Republican deputies, refusing to acknowledge the cession of territory, resigned their seats in the Assembly.

Thus there began a schism between the Radicals, especially those of Paris, and the Assembly, which was destined to widen into an impassable gulf.