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<br>The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Revolutions_of_1848_in_the_German_states Revolutions of 1848] had an impact all over the German area. Baden had had a liberal constitution from 1811, but the constitution was revoked in 1830. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopold_of_Baden Leopold of Baden] became Grand Duke in 1830. He brought in liberal reforms in many areas of society. This liberalism set the stage for the revolution in 1848, which began in Paris. Baden was the first German state to be affected by the revolution, notwithstanding its already liberal society. Peasants took to the streets and even burned some aristocrats’ homes. A convention in Mannheim demanded a bill of rights. The movement continued to gain strength, with demands being made for further reforms, including an elected representative government and the unification of Germany. A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankfurt_National_Assembly convention in Frankfurt] passed sweeping reforms. However, the two representatives from Baden had already walked out of the assembly because of frustration with the slow progress being made. In the mean time, the reforms did little to quell the public outcry. Agitators continued to foment revolution. The Baden government finally took action by arresting [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Fickler Joseph Fickler], one of the leaders of the democrats. His arrest only inflamed the masses and on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hecker_Uprising 12 April, 1848 a full-scale uprising] ensued. The government, with the aid of troops from Bavaria and Prussia, crushed the revolt. Another, smaller uprising broke out the next year, but was put down as well. As it became clear that the revolutions had failed, the German princes reasserted their authority and reactionary forces prevailed. German unification would have to wait for another generation. | <br>The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Revolutions_of_1848_in_the_German_states Revolutions of 1848] had an impact all over the German area. Baden had had a liberal constitution from 1811, but the constitution was revoked in 1830. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopold_of_Baden Leopold of Baden] became Grand Duke in 1830. He brought in liberal reforms in many areas of society. This liberalism set the stage for the revolution in 1848, which began in Paris. Baden was the first German state to be affected by the revolution, notwithstanding its already liberal society. Peasants took to the streets and even burned some aristocrats’ homes. A convention in Mannheim demanded a bill of rights. The movement continued to gain strength, with demands being made for further reforms, including an elected representative government and the unification of Germany. A [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankfurt_National_Assembly convention in Frankfurt] passed sweeping reforms. However, the two representatives from Baden had already walked out of the assembly because of frustration with the slow progress being made. In the mean time, the reforms did little to quell the public outcry. Agitators continued to foment revolution. The Baden government finally took action by arresting [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Fickler Joseph Fickler], one of the leaders of the democrats. His arrest only inflamed the masses and on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hecker_Uprising 12 April, 1848 a full-scale uprising] ensued. The government, with the aid of troops from Bavaria and Prussia, crushed the revolt. Another, smaller uprising broke out the next year, but was put down as well. As it became clear that the revolutions had failed, the German princes reasserted their authority and reactionary forces prevailed. German unification would have to wait for another generation. | ||
The Grand Duke Leopold died in 1852 and was succeeded by his son, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_I,_Grand_Duke_of_Baden Frederick]. During Frederick’s reign, the option of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_marriage civil marriages] was introduced | The Grand Duke Leopold died in 1852 and was succeeded by his son, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_I,_Grand_Duke_of_Baden Frederick]. During Frederick’s reign, the option of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_marriage civil marriages] was introduced in the 1860s. In the great struggle between the two major German powers, Prussia and Austria, Baden was an ardent supporter of Austria. In the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austro-Prussian_War Austro-Prussian War] (1866), Baden, along with most south German states, joined with Austria. Although Austria and her allies were quickly and soundly defeated, Baden did not suffer territorial loss.<br><br> | ||
{{Wikipedia|Baden}} | {{Wikipedia|Baden}} | ||