AICE European History- 3.1

What were the causes of the 1848-49 Revolutions in Germany?

German Confederation

a loose association of states which retain some control over their own policies.

Congress of Vienna

In September 1814, a group of European nations met in Vienna to discuss the problems caused by the wars, and to establish new boundaries on the continent. The most important states represented at this series of meetings were Austria, Prussia, Great Britain, and Russia. France, whose monarchy had been restored after the defeat of Napoleon, attended the congress but had no decision making powers. The decisions made at this meeting changed the face of Europe.

Liberalism

A belief that government should be reformed to allow as much personal and economic freedom as possible. Nineteenth-century liberals also favored the concept of representative assemblies, although these would not necessarily be represented by all adults.

Nationalism

A belief that people with a common language, culture, or history should have the right to govern themselves, and that the boundaries between states should be based on this idea.

Klemens von Metternich

The Austrian foreign minister, the most significant individual at the Congress of Vienna. used oppressive measures to ensure Nationalism didn’t spread in order to protect the Austrian Empire and conservatism.

Republican

A form of government in which the head of state is not a hereditary ruler such as a king, but a leader chosen directly or indirectly by those people in the state with the right to vote.

Burschenschaften

Student organizations which developed after 1815 to promote ideas of German nationality, freedom, and civil rights.

Sovereignty

Ultimate political authority within a state.

Six Articles of 1832 (Carlsbad Decrees)

Universities: Each university was to have an ‘extraordinary commissioner’ assigned to it, to supervise the teaching program. Liberal professors who undermined the established order were to be removed from their posts. Unauthorized student organizations were to be dissolved.

The press: Member states of the confederation. and the Diet, were to censor the newspaper press.

A central investigating commission was to be set up in Mainz to root out organizations promoting liberal and nationalist ideas.

Indirect Voting

a system in which voters choose delegates who then elect the representatives to sit in a central assembly or parliament.

Friedrich Wilhelm IV

The new Prussian king, succeeded to the throne in 1840. He was a complex and unstable character who believed that God expected him to rule his subjects firmly but kindly. Friedrich Wilhelm combined this conviction with some more modern reforming instincts. He relaxed censorship and gave greater powers to the provincial powers or assemblies, but he rejected demands for a single parliament for all Prussian territories.

Zollverein (customs union)

an association of states who agree to abolish tariffs between themselves, and to operate a common set of tariffs on imports from other countries.

Suffrage

the right to vote

Grossdeutschland

Great Germany

Kliendeutschland

Little Germany