Exporting Revolutionary Institutions Across the Rhine

Abstract

This chapter analyses how the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars have modified the political constitution of the different German states that after 1806 became part of the Confederation of the Rhine. First, the main events and outcomes of the French Revolution as well as its perception by German political leaders and intellectuals are summarized. After this, the diffusion processes of revolutionary institutions (including democratic representation, the abolishment of feudal privileges, and conscription) are analysed. It will be shown that before 1792, the diffusion of revolutionary ideas and institutions was mainly promoted by German intellectuals and journalists. This communicative diffusion did not stimulate any major revolutionary movement. The expansionist turn of the French Revolution in 1792 led to an increasing sceptical view among German intellectuals, but stimulated also the proclamation of the Republic of Mainz, the first (temporarily) successful revolution in Germany. Only Napoleon’s arrival in German politics led to a more thorough diffusion of revolutionary institutions, but this remained limited mainly to conscription and administrative reform. Limiting his use of coercion to match recruitment quota for the Grande Armee, Napoleon relied on interest-based negotiation and role-model to promote the diffusion of other revolutionary institutions to the Confederation of the Rhine. This enabled German leaders to ‘filter’ the transfer of these institutions according to their needs in terms of consolidation of rule, thus excluding revolutionary achievements that had been originally been welcomed by many German intellectuals in the first place.