TL: United we stand (Kaiserdeputation Suceeds)

Chapter Two: A new Empire (Until September 1849)
Timeline
> 02. April 1849: Friedrich-Wilhelm IV. dies in Berlin
> 03. April Josty Meeting
> 09. April Prince Wilhelm arrives in Berlin
> 20. April Wilhelm I. is crowned in Frankfurt
> 27. April "Vereinigungserklärung"


Military Advances

On February 22. Denmark broke Treaty of Malmö reigniting the war over Schlesvig-Holsten. Almost immediately the Zentralgewalt (the government in Frankfurt at that time) reacts and counters the Danish attacks. On 5. April Holstenian Forces are able to repel a Danish landing force by Eckernförde, sinking the Danish Battleship Christian VIII.. At the time Wilhelm is crowned in Frankfurt Prussian and thuringian Troops beat the Danish at Kolding and start the siege of Fredericia at the end of April.
On May 05. Reinforcements from Prussia and Mecklemburg arrive, freeing the Thurigians under Ernst von Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha to advance deeper into Danish Territory. On May 10. Ernst takes Silkenborg.

With the march governments remaining strong in the states for now, Wilhelm and von Gagern aim to weaken the middle-states by sending away their armies (and therefore reducing the danger of an counter revolution). On April 23. the Army of Hannover is send to Schlesvig-Holsten. Under the Command of Hugh Halkett, who already fought in the first war, it makes fast advances at the west coast meeting only little resistance. Halkett takes the City of Ripe at May 1. and starts marching towards Esbjerg.

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General Hugh Halkett
Meanwhile the Bavarian Army (April 11.) is send to Baden maneuvering and performing Guard Duty near the border. The act is intended as a message towards the French to stay out of German business. Like Minister Jochmus awaited the French react by securing the border themselves.
Most of the Army of Wurtemberg (April 11.) is treated the same way and sended to Silesia, especially since Austria is fighting the Rebels in Hungary.


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Bavarian Soldiers stationed in Baden​
Foreign Politics
Jochmus main target in his politics was the search for allies for the new nation. Especially allies against Austria. From Austrian origin himself and knowing the Austrian politics and military, he was sure that Austria would try to “restore order” in Germany as soon as they recover from the infighting. Wilhelm agreeing with this point of view and also dreaming of a Great Germany under him, gave Jochmus mostly free hand in his strive.

On May 6. Germany send a note to both France and the Tsardom opening diplomatic contact. A first treaty with Russia is signed on May 23. with Tsar Nikolaus I. (Wilhelms brother in law) recognizing Wilhelm as German emperor and allowing diplomatic contact. This leads to the removal of most of the wurtembergian troops from Silesia and freeing the Russian troops to intervene in Hungary. France however refuse to recognize the German Unification, seeing a united Germany as a thread to their on ambitions, despite Lamaries assertions from February 1848. The deployment of the Bavarian soldier in Baden cooled the relations even more. The growing signs for french intervention in Rome didn't benefit the understanding either.
With Great Britain on the other hand things worked out better. Since 1848 Britain regarded the progress in Germany with favor, seeing a natural Allie against France and Russia in an united and more liberal German Empire. Then again the British anticipated the protectionist German Zollverein and were angered by the Nationalversammlungs refusal of the Malmö treaty. Therefore the British diplomats in Frankfurt were ordered to watch the progress and support the unification without intervention, fearing the Nationalversammlung could prove as unstable and only temporary united government. With Wilhelms crowning however, the German empire seemed to become stable and so diplomatic talks started. On April 24. The German emissary Andrian was fully recognized as ambassador in Great Britain. In the following weeks the British ambassador started talks with Minister Duckwitz and Prince Adalbert regarding trade and the Reichsflotte. These talks were concluded in june and led to an opening of the Zollverein towards Britain (special tariffs, decreased restrains), easements for germans in british trade, a fleet precontract and options for a future german colonial politic.
The only remaining problem in the German-british relations were the war with Denmark. The British public were pro Danish, while the royal House was pro German. British Foreign Minister Palmerston meanwhile feared a threat to European balance of power from this war and a potential for an even greater war. He met with Andrian several time through May but didn’t reach an agreement.

With Russia things were going well at best. Due to family connections (between the Kaiser and the Tsar) the relation between the nations remain watchful friendly, with no future agreements developing after May 23. Nicolaus hated the liberals and the germane liberals hated him (von Gagern even wished for a war OTL). Plus Russia hoped for a strong Austria (due to polish Problems) what wasn’t wished by the Germans. Therefore Russian-German Relations remained delicate.
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Zachary Taylor, US President​
There was almost immediately sympathy between the german parlament and the United States, when the Nationalversammlung was founded 1848. The americans were flattered since the new german government seems to take the US as model in some parts of their developing state and american-germans were enthusiastic about the development in Germany, so President Polk tried to remain good relations seeing this as a soucre of votes. Furthermore politicians and economists alike believed that a united Germany was good for US trade interests. The United States were one of the first nations to recognize the German government. In October 1848 the US started to support Duckwitz in his strive to build the Reichsflotte, by sending Commodore Foxhall A. Parker to Bremen in order to inspect the German efforts. Although Parkers judgment wasn't good, in February 1849 the US agreed to sell a Steam frigate to Germany. But Denmark intervened. Stating that the treaty of Malmö was just truce and no peace and therefore the trade would be a war support for the Germans by the American. Fearing for the US Neutrality new President Taylor rejoiced from the trade. German Ambassador Friedrich von Rönne tried to resolve the problem, which he achieved on 7. June. The Frigate “Jefferson” would be transferred to Bremen and stay their under America flag and command until the end of the war. In August 1849 a first trade agreement between Germany and the US was signed.
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USS Jefferson, later renamed as SMS Rheinland
Stucking between Russia and France Jochmus started to search for alliances in new direction. An independent Hungary or a united Italy seemed to by good possibly allies. But since an intervention in both wars would have been suicidal, Jochmus decided to secretly support the latter. On April 26. only one day after the start of the french intervention he met with Italian emissaries for the first time in Munich. After two weeks of negotiation the “Geheimunterstüzungsabkommen” was signed.





Inner politics

On April 21. the new cabinet officially started its work. Two days later the Staatenhaus assembled for the first time in the Salzhaus. Six days later the unification bill was presented, in this bill all German states but Austria officially agreed to form one union. It also clarified the relation between the states of this union and contained special terms for the accession of several states. For example Luxembourg received its lost territory from Prussia and special rights for its dutch and french citizens, like french and dutch as second languages. The King of the Netherlands, as Duke of Luxembourg, gained a “special seat” in the Staatenhaus, a rather massive compensation and the right to continue his rule in Luxembourg (riping taxes). Upon the end of his rule, the title of Grandduke should pass to his second son and Luxembourg should be fully integrated into the German Empire.
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Wilhelm II. King of the Netherlands and Grandduke of Luxembourg
Saxony, Bavaria and Wurttemberg gained compensation for their aproval. On May 1. the first plans for a constitution reform ware presented to the Nationalversammlung, causing hour long debate over the mostly conservative changes planned by the States delegates. The Reform promoted more federalism, military freedoms for the states and slight changes in the financial system. Although mostly dismissed it gained the support of the fractions Cafe Milani and Pariser Hof.
A second changed version presented in May 29. also resulted in hour long debates effectively paralyzing the parliament. On June third the matter was delayed by the emperor due to the war the nation was currently fighting.

On June 6. the “Verordnung zum Vereinigten Standart” created by both trade and financial ministry was applied, unifying currency, weight and units in the whole empire. But also gaining the grudge of the Federalists.

Meanwhile Eduard von Simson had started a committee, containing jurists from all states. The work for a united Code of law started in late April, but didn't ended until September. At the end stands as rather conservative code of law, orientating at Roman law, Savignys Work and the constitution. The Death sentence was abolished as well as the pillory. Most noble privileges were restricted.
For German Jews however “Simsons Law” was a massive step forward. The constitution already provided religious freedom, but the new Code of law also secured freedom of profession and economic freedom for everybody, outlawing decrees that allowed Jews only small trades.

Next Time on United we stand: "The war in the North" and "Regarding Italy"
 
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Right again. Probably a slip of tongue.... it was meant to be SMS. Changed both :).
 
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