The Frankfurt Parliament
Meeting of the Frankfurt Parliament
The Frankfurt Parliament was called to discuss reforms and attempt to draft a constitution for a unified Germany. This was seen as the best way to stop the political unrest.
The constitution was completed in March 1849:
- the German states were to be united as a German Empire headed by a German Emperor
- government would be provided by an elected parliament
- the government would represent the populations of all states
- the new German Empire would replace the existing Bund
- the Crown was offered to Prussia's Frederick William IV.
But the Frankfurt Parliament and the attempt to unify Germany through political reform failed. Frederick William was not a strong enough leader to unite Germany. He refused to "accept a crown from the gutter" because it had not been offered by the other German Princes