The last lesson is not real. However, the historical events are true and are used for reference to put light on the theme of the story. The districts of Alsace-Lorraine were under Prussian control until World War I. This story is set in 1870 when Bismarck’s army stormed the regions of Alsace Loraine and held them under their control. The Germans forced the French schools to teach German. Hence, the French living in that area did not know their language.