Question

Write a note on Frankfurt parliament

Answer 1

On 18 May 1848, in a festive procession, 831 elected representatives marched on to take their places in the Frankfurt Parliament. At the Frankfurt Parliament, a Constitution was drafted for a German nation.

• In the city of Frankfurt (Germany), a large number of political associations, whose members were prosperous artisans, businessmen, middle-class professionals, came together and decided to vote for a National Assembly which was all German.
• Frankfurt parliament convened in the Church of St Paul.
• Subject to a parliament, the German nation would be headed by Monarchy, as per the Constitution.
• When Friedrich Wilhelm IV, King of Prussia, received the crown from the Deputies on these terms, Friedrich Wilhelm IV rejected it.
• Other monarchs were joined by Friedrich Wilhelm IV to reject the elected assembly.
• The social basis of parliament eroded, while the opposition of the military and aristocracy became stronger.
• The middle classes dominated the Parliament.
• Parliament lost the support of artisans and workers, as their demands were resisted by this middle class dominated Parliament.
• Ultimately the assembly was forced to disband as the troops were called in.

Frankfurt Parliament – Position of Women

• Views of some of the elected members of the Frankfurt Parliament, were controversial when it came to equality for women.As per liberal politician Carl Welcker, an elected member of Frankfurt Parliament said, men were freer, stronger and bolder than women.He said women were weaker, timid and were dependent on men. As per Carl Welcker equality of men and women would endanger and destroy dignity and harmony of the family.
• During the election of the Assembly, women were denied suffrage rights.
• Women were admitted only as observers to stand in the visitors’ gallery, when the Frankfurt parliament convened in the Church of St Paul.