The backdrop for “The Last Lesson” is the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), a conflict between France and the German states led by Prussia. This war resulted in the defeat of France and the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine by Germany. The story unfolds in a small village in Alsace, where the local French-speaking inhabitants face the loss of their language and culture as German becomes the new official language. This historical context deepens the narrative, illustrating the emotional turmoil and sense of loss experienced by the characters as they grapple with their identity in the face of foreign domination.