German revolutions of 1848–1849

The Revolutions in the German states developed in most of the 38 states of Germany that were loosely bound together in the German Confederation after the Congress of Vienna in 1815. To these states belonged Austria as well though Hungary that was part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire was not part of the German Confederation.

Cheering revolutionaries after fighting in March 1848

These revolutions had as example the French Revolution of 1848 in February 1848, when King Phillipe of France abdicated the throne.

The biggest successes of the German revolutions happened in March in Berlin and Vienna. The result was the election of a German National Assembly in Frankfurt am Main.

National assembly's meeting in St. Paul's Church in Frankfurt am Main

But it was in Berlin too where the Prussian king Frederick William refused to become emperor of a united German state. Austria and Prussia withdrew their delegates from the Assembly, and the Assembly itself slowly disintegrated afterwards.

Related pages

• European Revolutions of 1848

Other websites

• 1848: REVOLUTION AND REACTION Archived 2005-12-10 at the Wayback Machine
• German Revolution of 1848/49 Archived 2006-01-07 at the Wayback Machine
• The German 1848 Revolution: A German Perspective
• Constitution of the German Empire ("Constitution of Paulskirche") of 28th March 1849, in full text