Bismarck and the Prussian Liberals: The Background to a Centenary
The German Progressive Party was founded in 1861, writes F.L. Carsten, but “the Liberals desired the unification of Germany so ardently that they were willing to forego their political ambitions when Bismarck gained unification at the point of the sword.”
In the revolution of 1848 to 1849 the German Liberals failed to unite Germany. The National Assembly at Frankfurt, after many months of deliberation, had worked out a constitution; it envisaged a smaller Germany, without Austria, and with the Imperial dignity hereditary in the House of Hohenzollem.
But when the Imperial throne was offered to King Frederick William IV of Prussia by a delegation of the Frankfurt Assembly, he declined to accept a Crown “baked of dirt and clay.”
Dislike of popular sovereignty caused him to turn down an offer that, if accepted, would have solved the German problem in a liberal sense. The popular risings in favour of the constitution that broke out in many parts of Germany during the spring of 1849 were defeated by the Prussian army, under the command of the King’s brother, William, later the Emperor William I. The rump of the National Assembly was dissolved by force. Thus ended the dreams of a Germany united by popular effort under the black, red and gold colours and liberal leadership.
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