Regional Difference-in-Differences in France Using the German Annexation of Alsace-Moselle in 1870–1918

In this paper, we describe the historical context of local laws in Alsace-Moselle, a region of France under the control of Germany between 1870 and 1918. We provide three examples of labor policies that can be evaluated thanks to this experience: welfare laws, regulation of working time and absenteeism, and preliminary investigations of the effect of those policies. We conclude in proposing additional examples of policy evaluations that could be based on a similar strategy.