Summary
Highlights
The National Assembly had two main tasks: to define the fundamental rights of Germans and to draft and enact a constitution. The nearly 600 delegates formed various factions based on political goals and ideologies. These included conservatives who opposed a new constitution, those advocating for a German Republic, and others who desired a constitutional monarchy. These factions were named after their meeting places and established the political left-right spectrum.
The video opens in the Frankfurt Paulskirche, where the German National Assembly met. The church was decorated to reflect its new purpose, featuring the Reichsgöttin Germania and the German imperial eagle. The assembly's structure, including the presidium, speaker's podium, and seating for parliamentarians and spectators, is described.
On December 28, 1848, the delegates agreed upon the future fundamental rights of Germans. These rights included freedom of residence, equality before the law, inviolability of personal freedom, abolition of the death penalty and torture, freedom of opinion, freedom of religion, academic freedom, freedom of assembly, and protection of property. Many of these rights still exist in Germany today.
While there was quick agreement on civil rights, the structure of the national state was heavily debated. The assembly eventually decided on a constitutional monarchy with a separation of powers. This included an inherited emperor, a government appointed by the emperor but controlled by the Reichstag, and a Reichstag with two houses (Staatenhaus for state representatives and Volkshaus for elected delegates) that would pass laws and determine the budget. A Reichsgericht (imperial court) was also established to resolve constitutional disputes.
A crucial question was which territories would belong to the new Germany. The 'small German' solution excluded Austria, while the 'large German' solution included it. Due to Austria's multi-ethnic population, the 'small German' solution won by a narrow majority. The imperial crown was then offered to King Frederick William IV of Prussia, who famously rejected it, stating that subjects could not bestow a crown and referring to it as a 'dog collar'.
Despite the king's rejection, 28 German states supported the new constitution. However, the governments of larger states recalled their delegates from Frankfurt, starting with Austria and Prussia. The remaining approximately 100 delegates fled to Stuttgart, where they were ultimately dissolved by the Württemberg military. Protests were met with military force.
The revolution ultimately failed. Austria reverted to an absolutist state, and the Prussian King dissolved the Prussian National Assembly, occupying Berlin with 40,000 soldiers. Uprisings in various regions were suppressed by the Prussian military. Thousands of liberals and democrats were arrested, executed, or forced to flee, many to America. In many German states, parliaments were dissolved, their powers curtailed, and constitutions and fundamental rights revoked. The 1848/49 revolution ended in failure.