From 1815 to 1847
– The restored rulers of the German states would reverse/weaken any reforms from the Napoleonic period
– Student fraternities (Burschenschaft) the most radical element in Germany
- Conservative Historian assassinated, Metternich convinces Emperor of Austria/King of Prussia to institute the Carlsbad Decrees (dissolve fraternities & censorship)
– Further revolts towards 1830
- German Confederation met to decide what to do
- Metternich berated those who gave in to liberal concessions
- Passed the “Ten Articles”
- coordinated police repression of liberals, monitored universities, prohibited public meetings
- Any state threatened by revolution would be assisted by others
– German liberals and radicals
- Radicals: believed in revolution as necessary for reform/unification (disappearing)
- Liberals: believed in established political institutions; did not believe in defying authority
Revolutions of 1848 – 1849
– King of Prussia (Frederick William IV) makes various concessions
- Demonstrations in Berlin, Prussia
- FWIV convokes the Diet (Parliament), summons a more liberal cabinet; promises to end censorship, grant a constitution, and take steps towards unification
– Frankfurt Parliament
- Liberals coordinated a freely elected parliament that was represented by those from all over Germany
- Goal: craft a constitution for a united Germany that other states would join in on
- Problem: Lack of a unified opinion within its members
- Problem: Prussia & Austria not members
- Problem: No Army to use to impose its will on others
– Prussia: United Assembly drafting a constitution/restricting noble privileges and authority
- Junkers (nobles) not willing to go without a fight. FWIV cracks down on the situation, declares martial law
– Frankfurt Parliament Powerless, needs Austria/Prussia
- Austria unwilling to join
- Could not join the Frankfurt Parliament without ditching its non-German territories (e.g. Hungary)
- Prussia unwilling to join
- FWIV calls it a “crown from the gutter”
- Does not want to join a liberal parliament
- Reasserts and strengthens conservative authority through military measures
