THE GERMAN STATES

Dreams of Unity

At the time of the 1848 revolutions, what we now call “Germany” was actually many independent states. Many Germans dreamed of uniting these states into a single, powerful nation. They also wanted a constitution that guaranteed freedom of speech, equality, and a government chosen by the people.

In 1848, protests broke out across the German lands. Reformers and intellectuals gathered in Frankfurt to create a constitution for a united Germany. This meeting became known as the Frankfurt Assembly. They offered the crown of a new Germany to the King of Prussia, Frederick William IV, but he refused it, saying he would not take “a crown from the gutter,” meaning from the people instead of other kings.

Without support from the powerful monarchs, the movement collapsed. Still, the dream of a unified Germany did not die, it would later be achieved in 1871 under Prussian leadership.