Nicholas Johnston
DAILY GERMAN
mea
tin
the P gs take
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kfur rche at
t am
Main
Frankfurt Parliament,
did it work?
HOW IT GOT STARTED
It’s existence was both part of and the result of
the “march revolution” in the german
confederation. It was soon the first freely
elected parliament for all of Germany. The first
sessions were held from May 18, 1848 until
May 31, 1849. The sessions were held in the
Paulskirche at Frankfurt am Main.
PAULSKIRCHE CONSTITUTION
This constitution proclaimed a German Empire
based on the ideas of a parloamental
democracy. It was made to fulfill the main
demands of the liberal and nationalist
movements of the Vormårz which provided the
people with a foundation of basic rights which
both opposed Metternichs system of
restoration.
Published June 1849
Paper number 190456
WHAT AFFECT HAS IT HAD ON THE POEPLE?!
PAGE
2
FRANKFURT PARLIAMENT’S BASIC RIGHTS
Some of the freedoms the Vormårz offered
included freedom of movement, equal treatment
for all Germans, the abolishment of class based
privileges and medieval burdens, freedom of
religion, Freedom of conscience, the abolishment
of capital punishment, freedom of research and
education, freedom of assembly, basic rights in
regard to police activity and judicial proceedings,
the inviolability of the home, Freedom of the
press, independence of judges, freedom of trade
and freedom of establishment.
WHEN/WHY DID THE PARLIAMENT FAIL?
by June 1849 the Frankfurt Parliament had failed, its power
no longer recognised. Despite some achievements the
parliament was unable to fully establish neither its authority
nor its constitution. The failure of the Frankfurt parliament
was precipitated by a number of factors, from its inability to
make quick, vital decisions to the division between its
members. The responsibility of founding a national
constitution was left to an unrepresentative portion of
society that made up the Frankfurt Parliament. Eighty
percent of its members had university degrees and the rest
was comprised of a few land owners, four craftsmen and
one peasant .Of the 596 members, the vast majority were
middle-class which meant that overall the parliament was
moderately liberal in politics. However, the minority of
extremist members of the Parliament, as well as the
differing aims of its liberal and radical affiliates, proved fatal
for the Frankfurt Parliament. Differences could not easily
be resolved between these groups and so a majority
decision was seldom reached. All these components
contributed to the failure of the parliament and the
unsuccessfull unification of Germany and shaped the world
we lived in today.
NICHOLAS JOHNSTON