Liberalism and nationalism in Germany, 1815-71

Flashcards about Liberalism and nationalism in Germany, 1815-71

Who was the most significant individual at the Congress of Vienna?

Prince Klemens von Metternich

What was Metternich's system designed to do?

Maintain the rule of absolute monarchies in the Austrian empire and other European states

What impact did Napoleon's invasion have on the German States?

Ideas of the enlightenment from the French Revolution began to spread

What did the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Leipzig in 1813 symbolize?

A symbol of German identity and unity

What was the aim of the Congress of European nations in Vienna in Sept 1814?

To restore stability after French Revolution and wars

How was Germany reorganised under Austrian control?

Into 39 states under Austrian control in the German Confederation

Where did the Diet meet in the German Confederation, and what were its powers?

Frankfurt; limited powers over foreign policies but individual rulers managed their internal affairs

Who aided the authoritarian monarch (King Friedrich Wilhelm III) in Prussia?

Junkers (nobles)

What type of people consisted of the educated middle class?

Business people and professionals (e.g. lawyers)

What did the middle class want?

Constitutional monarchies, free speech, free press, fair trials, and free trade

Where did the support for German national unity come from?

Literate, professional people and student associations (Burschenschaften)

What was the religion of the southern and western states?

Mainly Catholic (e.g. Bavaria, Westphalia)

What was the religion of the northern states?

Mainly Protestant (e.g. Prussia)

What did the Carlsbad Decrees of August 1819 entail?

University teaching programmes monitored; liberal teachers removed; student organisations dissolved; censorship of newspapers; investigating committee established

What was the impact of the 1830 revolution in Paris?

Establishment of a parliamentary monarchy under King Louis Philippe, four German states forced to grant constitutions and freedom of press

Where did nationalists organise the Hambach Festival in May 1832?

Bavaria

What did Young Germany want?

A united and liberal Germany

What did the Six Articles, June 1832 entail?

Limiting the rights of elected assemblies in states which had constitutions and declared the supremacy of federal law

What did the Ten Articles, July 1832 entail?

Prohibited political meetings and festivals, made it illegal to wear the colors of student associations

What was Zollverein?

Customs union of German states formed by Prussia by 1834

What did the 'Large Germany' want?

Would include, and be dominated by, Austria - Grosseutschlad

What did the 'Small Germany' want?

Would exclude Austria and be dominated by Prussia - Kleindeutschland

What led to rising prices in the 1840s?

Poor harvests 1846 and 1847

Why was there a reduction in wages of urban workers?

Recession in textile industry

What type of politicians demanded further reform including a German national parliament in Oct 1846?

Liberal

Where were liberal reforms spreading and removing kings from their throne?

Ludwig I of Bavaria abdicated because of a personal affair

Where did the representatives of six states meet to summon a Vorparlament (pre-parliament) in March 1848?

Heidelberg, Frankfurt

What did King Friedrich Wilhelm IV call to gain support for railway construction?

A United Diet

What happened in March 1848 in Berlin?

Disturbances with workers protesting about pay and conditions and middle class wanting to protect their rights

What was the initial response of the German States to the 1848-49 Revolutions?

Most states made short-term concessions

What was the weakness of the revolutions?

Divisions of revolutionary movement: liberals wanted moderate reform, radicals wanted major changes, middle-class and working-class aims differed

Who helped restore monarchies in other German states?

Austria and Prussia

What did Friedrich Wilhelm IV do in Prussia?

Initially allowed election of an assembly, then dissolved it and established a new constitution with a two-chamber parliament but the king retained main power

What was the composition of members in the Frankfurt Parliament?

Mainly well-off professionals

Who was the Provisional Central Power established under?

Austrian prince Johann

What were the reasons for failure of Frankfurt Parliament?

Differences between liberals, radicals and conservatives