Liberal ideas gained prominence in 1800s Germany, as ordinary people desired more say rather than being dominated by monarchs alone. Liberalism was inspired by both nationalism and the French Revolution. Liberal ideas were especially popular among university students, who formed societies to promote liberalism. In 1848, a series of protests demanding political reforms led to a Frankfurt Parliament to discuss unifying Germany, but there was no agreement and the King withdrew support, hindering liberal advances. Opposition came from those who would lose power, like Prussian landowners, and liberal goals faced many reversals.

2. Liberal ideas
It was not simply nationalism
that was prominent in the 1800s;
Liberalism was important too.
Liberalism was the idea that
ordinary people deserved more
of a say in their lives, not just to
be dominated by a monarch.

3. Arguments for
Rulers and monarchs were
unlikely to give up power. Many
Liberals became nationalists to
change how Germany was run.
Liberals were inspired by the
French Revolution, linking
these two factors.

4. Role of students
Liberal ideas were prominent
amongst university students.
Student societies supporting
liberalism (Burschenschaften)
were set up. An influential
group called ‘Young Germany’
started up in the 1830s.

5. 1848 Revolutions
In 1848 a series of (often
violent) protests were held,
demanding political reforms.
All German states were then
invited to attend a meeting in
Frankfurt in March 1848.

6. Frankfurt Parliament
The Parliament agreed a plan
to create a united Germany.
However there was no clear
agreement on what this
should look like, and King
Frederick William IV of
Prussia withdrew his support.

7. Arguments against
Until 1850, political and
philosophical ideas were still
largely discussed amongst the
middle and upper classes
The working class wanted
social reform; the middle class
wanted political reform.

8. Arguments against
Many richer Germans (such as
Prussian Junkers) were
opposed to Liberalism, fearing
it would cost them power.
Liberal advances were often
reversed, such as press
freedom in Prussia.