Saar (protectorate) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Saar
Saare
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| 1947–1956 | |||||||||
 Flag
 Coat of arms
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Borders of post-WW2 Germany (1949). The Saar is in purple.
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| Status | Protectorate of France | ||||||||
| Capital | Saarbrücken | ||||||||
| Government | Republic | ||||||||
| History | |||||||||
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• Established
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December 15, 1947 1947 | ||||||||
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• WEU referendum
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October 23, 1955 | ||||||||
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• Saar Treaty
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October 27, 1956 1956 | ||||||||
| Currency | Saar mark, Saar franc | ||||||||
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The Saar was a special area in Europe after World War II. It was located next to France and Germany. From 1947 to 1956, the Saar was a "protectorate" of France. This meant France helped govern and protect it.
After World War II ended in 1945, the Saar region was separated from Germany. France took control to help rebuild the area. The goal was to make the Saar an independent country, but this did not happen.
Contents
Becoming a Protectorate
After the war, the Saar region was part of the French zone of Germany. On December 15, 1947, it officially became the Saar Protectorate. It had its own government and laws, but France still had a lot of influence.
The Saar Protectorate used its own money, the Saar franc. It also had its own flag and coat of arms. The capital city was Saarbrücken.
Referendum and Return to Germany
For several years, people debated what should happen to the Saar. Should it become fully independent? Should it join France? Or should it return to Germany?
In 1955, the people of the Saar voted in a special election called a referendum. They voted on a plan to make the Saar a "European territory." This would mean it would be governed by a European organization, not just France or Germany.
The people voted against this plan. This showed that most people wanted the Saar to become part of Germany again.
Joining West Germany
After the vote, France and West Germany made an agreement called the Saar Treaty. This treaty was signed on October 27, 1956. It said that the Saar would join West Germany.
On January 1, 1957, the Saar officially became the German state of Saarland. This was an important step in bringing Germany back together after the war.
Related Pages
- Saarland: The modern German state that the Saar region is part of today.
- Saargebiet: An earlier time when the Saar region was also separate from Germany after World War I.
Images for kids
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Constitution of Saarland 1947/48
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100 Saar franken coin
See also
In Spanish: Protectorado del Sarre para niños
