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OVERVIEW
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A CORNERSTONE OF NATIONAL UNITY
The Hambach Festival was a historic event that took place on May 27th, 1832, in Hambach Castle near Neustadt, Germany. The festival was attended by approximately 30,000 people, who came from different parts of Germany to demand national unity, freedom of the press, individual civil rights, and democracy. The flag of modern Germany was raised for the first time at the Hambach Festival.
RAISING THE FLAG
MAY 27 - MAY 30, 1832
During the early 19th century, Germany was not a unified country but was rather divided into multiple independent states and territories. This was largely due to the effects of the Napoleonic Wars, which had left Germany in a state of political disarray. However, the wars also left a sense of national unity among Germans, who felt a common identity and a desire for political change.
The German Confederation, which was established in 1815 to restore political order to the region, soon became a target of criticism from those who wanted more rights within a unified Germany. The Hambach Festival was a culmination of this movement, with people coming together to demand greater political representation and individual liberties.
At the festival, numerous political speeches were given, and songs were sung to express the demands of the people. The most notable event of the festival was the raising of the black, red, and gold banner, which would go on to become the German Tricolor. The Tricolor was not only a symbol of national unity but also a symbol of freedom and liberty in German history, similar to the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. For the first time, the black-red-gold tricolor flag was carried forward and hoisted atop the tallest tower at the Hambach Festival. The present-day flag traces its origins back to the merchant Johann Philipp Abresch, who established the order of colors. The flag he raised at Hambach Castle bore the inscription: 'Germany's Rebirth.'
The Hambach Festival was a significant milestone in the history of German democratic ideas and values. It inspired many Germans to continue the struggle for political change and contributed to the eventual unification of Germany in 1871. The festival remains an important part of German history and is remembered as a symbol of hope and progress towards a more democratic and just society.
THE THIRTYERS -
SHAPERS OF GERMAN-AMERICAN HISTORY
The "Thirtyers" (or "Dreißiger" in German) is a term that refers to individuals who fled the German states in the 1830s, particularly following the Hambach Festival. Among the Thirtyers, several individuals stand out for their contributions to both German-American society and the broader cultural and political landscape of the United States.
GUSTAV KOERNER
Gustav Koerner, born in 1809 in Frankfurt / Main, was a prominent lawyer, politician, journalist, and historian who fled to the United States after participating in the Hambach Festival of 1832. Koerner settled in St. Louis, where he became an influential figure in state politics. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Illinois and was a close associate of Abraham Lincoln, supporting the Union cause during the Civil War. Koerner was one of the most prominent Thirtyers and among the first ones who published a history of German Americans.
FRIEDRICH MÜNCH AND PAUL FOLLENIUS
Friedrich Münch and Paul Follenius were leaders of a group of intellectuals and farmers who sought to create a "German Athens" in Missouri. Münch, a philosopher and theologian, and Follenius, a lawyer, were deeply influenced by the ideas of freedom and democracy. They led the "Gießen Emigration Society," which aimed to establish a utopian community in the United States based on these principles. Although their utopian dreams were not fully realized, they successfully founded a thriving German community in Missouri, where Münch became a respected viticulturist and political leader.
ROBERT WESSELHOEFT
Another significant figure among the Thirtyers was Robert Wesselhoeft.
A physician by training, Wesselhoeft fled to the United States due to his involvement in revolutionary activities in Germany. He became a leader in the German-American community and was known for his advocacy of educational reform and public health.
HEINRICH ROEDTER
Heinrich Roedter made his mark as a journalist and editor. He founded the Cincinnatier Volksblatt, a German-language newspaper that became an important voice for the German-American community in Ohio. The Volksblatt not only provided news but also served as a platform for discussing political ideas and advocating for the rights of German immigrants in the United States.
LEGACY OF THE THIRTYERS
The Thirtyers brought with them a deep commitment to democratic ideals and social justice, which they integrated into their new lives in America. They not only sought refuge from political oppression but also actively participated in the shaping of their new country, advocating for the very ideals of freedom and democracy that had driven them from their homeland. Many Thirtyers became involved in the abolitionist movement, supporting the fight against slavery in their new homeland. Their influence extended into the Civil War, where they stood firmly with the Union cause, contributing to the eventual victory and the abolition of slavery. Their story is a testament to the enduring power of humane ideals to the fabric of American society.