Frankfurt Parliament's Failure: Disagreements or Other Forces?

The Frankfurt Parliament, convened in 1848, was a significant event in German history as it aimed to establish a unified and constitutional Germany. However, the Parliament ultimately failed to achieve its goals. This essay will explore the extent to which the failure of the Frankfurt Parliament can be attributed to disagreements among its members.

One argument supporting the central role of disagreements among the Parliament's members is the clear divisions on political lines. Some members favored the concept of Big Germany, which involved Austria maintaining its leadership, while others supported Little Germany, which excluded Catholic Austria and favored the leadership of Protestant Prussia. This division created a significant obstacle to the Parliament's ability to reach a consensus and make effective decisions. In October 1848, it seemed that the Big Germany view had prevailed, but it only applied to Austria's German lands, which was unacceptable to Austria as it would lead to the breakup of its Empire. This disagreement hindered the Parliament's ability to establish a unified Germany.

Furthermore, divisions also existed along the lines of social class within the Parliament. The middle classes, who dominated the Parliament, were primarily concerned with economic liberalism and their own profits. They saw the demands for improvements in social and working conditions as undermining their support for economic liberalism. This lack of concern for the lower classes eroded the faith and support of the lower classes in the Parliament. The Parliament's failure to address the needs and aspirations of the lower classes further contributed to its downfall.

However, it is important to acknowledge that there were other factors that contributed to the failure of the Frankfurt Parliament. One such factor was the refusal of Prussia's King Frederick-William IV to accept the imperial crown offered by the Parliament. This refusal meant that the Parliament would not have the substantial military and economic support of Prussia, which was crucial for the implementation of its ideas and policies. Without the backing of a powerful state like Prussia, the Parliament's ability to enforce its decisions was severely limited.

Another factor that undermined the legitimacy of the Parliament was its lack of initiation by the German Confederation. The Parliament was not officially recognized by the Confederation, and this lack of legitimacy became apparent when Austria recalled its delegates in April 1849, followed by Prussia, Saxony, and Hanover. As a result, the Parliament became a rump and lost its status as a national assembly. This loss of legitimacy further weakened the Parliament's ability to achieve its goals.

In conclusion, while disagreements among its members played a significant role in the failure of the Frankfurt Parliament, there were also other factors that contributed to its downfall. The divisions on political lines and social class hindered the Parliament's ability to reach a consensus and gain support from all sections of society. Additionally, the refusal of Prussia's king to accept the imperial crown and the lack of initiation by the German Confederation undermined the Parliament's legitimacy and limited its ability to enforce its decisions. Therefore, it can be argued that the failure of the Frankfurt Parliament was caused by a combination of disagreements among its members and other external factors.