British Perceptions of Vormärz Germany, 1830–47

Abstract

German history between the July Revolution, which ended the so-called Restoration, and the March Revolution some 18 years later, is frequently referred to as the period of the Vormarz (‘Pre-March’). This retrospective characterization of the era as anticipating the revolution which concluded it reflects the precariousness of the political and social status quo of the years between 1830 and 1848. The established order was challenged by strong oppositional forces, expressing increasing tensions between state and society. Governmental responses to growing demands for constitutional change and greater national unity ranged from blunt repression to reforming initiatives and constitutional concessions. Their perceptions and analyses of German politics during the Vormarz show that British diplomats, journalists and politicians not only took a keen interest in the dialectic process of oppositional challenge and governmental response, but that they also had clear preferences as to the manner and direction of political change in Germany.