Franco-Prussian Rapprochement and the new German Colonialism, 1830-1837
The 1830 Revolutions
A major challenge to the forces of reaction in Europe reared its head in the early months of 1830. France, the Low Countries, Switzerland and Congress Poland were all convulsed by the forces of revolution, railing against the rule of monarchs without the consent of the people. The geographic spread of these revolutions provided a huge challenge to the Vienna system – it’s chief enforcer, the Czar of Russia, was fully occupied with suppressing the violent revolt against his rule in Poland, which Great Britain had already signalled that continental matters were considered very much below her, and not worthy of attention. The fate of the channel ports would be monitored, and any attempt by a potential rival to seize them would likely stir the Brits to action, but in absence of this left the German powers of Austria and Prussia as the only ones capable of mounting resistance in defence of the Ancien Régime.
Czar Nicholas I of Russia sent Marshall Diebitsch to Berlin to negotiate the basis for joint Russo-Prussian action, believing that the Prussian army was the only one in Europe capable of mounting an effective resistance to events in France. Frederick William III was not moved however, and had grave reservations over taking a lead role against the revolution. Should he fail, it would be Prussia who lost territory as a consequence of peace with France, and the Polish unrest could so easily spill over the border into Poznan. Prussia, clearly, had the most to lose in both the east and the west, and so refused the suggestions of the Czar. Metternich, concerned that the Austrian army was in no state of readiness to deal with the rebellions, and also concerned about the large Polish population in the north of his Empire, also refused to answer the Russian call to arms.
Thus it was that the western revolts of 1830 were to succeed. France and the new Kingdom of Belgium emerged as two new constitutional monarchies, where the rule was dependent on the support of the people. Rather than being the King of France, Louis-Philippe was now the King of the French, and Leopold the King of the Belgians, signifying the popular basis for their power.
Franco-German Rapprochement
The reaction to French events in Germany was complicated. Having suffered so heavily at the hands of the radical ideologies which emanated from France, and the Revolutionary Armies which they spawned, many Germans were highly sceptical of anything coming out of France. However, the younger, more liberal generation tended to be more receptive, having less personal experience of the Revolutionary and the Napoleonic wars. There were examples of celebration greeting the establishment of the French constitutional monarchy, while French newspapers increased their circulation massively. However, a worrying strand of the liberal rhetoric coming from France was coloured by a belligerent tint – in particular, it was sometimes difficult to separate demands from the left bank from the cries for liberalism. Such demands naturally caused concerns in the southern German states and Prussia, and coupled with those historic ties to Alsace-Lorraine made a true rapprochement between France and Germany difficult to envisage.
From the French perspective, however, a German ally would be invaluable and would significantly reduce the threat from Czarist Russia. On the Prussian side, an understanding with France would help reduce the feeling of encirclement, and lift the fear over the expanded Prussian holdings in the Rhineland. Perhaps the Polish territory lost during the revolutionary wars could even be recovered?
Talleyrand Plan for the Partition of Belgium
Seeking to capitalise on the unrest in the Low Countries, and create the foundation for an understanding with Prussia, French foreign minister Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord travelled to the 1830 London Conference with ambitious proposals for the partition of Belgium. Prussia would gain Luxembourg and the German speaking regions surrounding it, France would annex a large portion of the French speaking south, some parts of the Brabant and the Limburg would be returned to the Netherlands, and the city of Antwerp would become a British protectorate. Talleyrand calculated that by satisfying Prussian ambitions, while assuaging British fears over the channel ports, he would be able to secure the border of the French Empire and placate some of the continuing unrest.
Frederick William III cautiously welcomed the proposals. The acquisition of further rich industrial lands would be an obvious boon for the Prussian state, but would also boost the Catholic population, and indeed those industrial classes who seemed naturally disposed to support calls for the Liberalisation of the Prussian administration. The Prussian King was also concerned that aggressively pursuing these demands would undermine relations between Prussia and their traditional allies in Great Britain. The two powers had recently been brought closer through the negotiations over Hanoverian membership of the Zollverein, and Frederick William was highly impressed with the functioning of the British Monarchy, and in awe of her empire. He had made no secret of his desire to establish Prussia firmly among the Great Powers, and this ambition had been broadly welcomed by the British – but advancing towards a channel port would quickly dissipate any warm feelings.
The French were ultimately unsuccessful, although the partition was almost agreed. There were some interesting developments, however. The British softened their isolationist stance, keeping a more careful eye on continental developments, concerned by the French ambition and the instability of the Belgian revolt. The Belgians managed to secure their independence, although the Netherlands were far from satisfied – in particular the region of Maastricht and the Duchy of Luxembourg. The most significant development was the closer relationship between Talleyrand and Frederick William III. The Prussian King was impressed with the willingness of the French to cooperate over the distribution of the Belgian industry, and with the desire to secure an understanding over the boundaries which respected Prussian control of the Rhineland.
Frederick William III and the Quest for Colonies
Russia succeeded in quelling the Polish rebellion, and the July Monarchy appeared secure in France. Prussia and France continued to improve their relations. It seemed that despite the events of 1830, the Concert of Europe had largely survived, albeit with one of the crucial buffer states which should have stood against France significantly weakened. As the belligerence died down in France, fears over another occupation of the Rhineland receded. The South German states drew closer to Austria, while the North Germans continued to view Prussia as their protector, with exception of Hanover and Schleswig-Holstein. Saxony, however, was torn between the two competing powers in Germany. Sharing a border with both, but relying on Prussian industrial and trade links, Saxony began to leave the Austrian orbit.
Adolph Diesterweg published his guidelines for teachers in 1836, laying down principles to ensure that all Prussian children
would receive among the highest standards of education in Europe.
Frederick William III was determined to improve Prussia’s standing among the Great Powers, and encouraged by the French and British monarchs sought to re-ignite German interest in Africa. Brandenburg-Prussia had previously established outposts on the Gold Coast, but these had faded in significance before being overshadowed by the British and Dutch colonies. The Warri tribe were chosen as a target, and the Prussian’s began to prepare an expedition to depart for the Gold Coast. France, keen to secure Prussian friendship, offered an alliance and the use of local naval bases to the Prussian’s, an offer which was gratefully accepted. On the 20th November, the Prussian invasion began. 9,000 professional soldiers, with a small artillery support, began to unload onto the Nigerian coast. A short battle ensued, but the disorganised tribe were unable to resist the European arms. After almost a year, the population were subdued, and the Prussian’s enforced a treaty which secured the first modern German colony. That same month, Prussian undertook to establish two large rail network which would span the length of their separated territories; the Great Rhenish Rail and the Prussian-Königsberg line. Discussions were opened with the Zollverein, to secure permission to link the two planned Prussian networks.
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