Frederick William IV Biography and Timeline

Birth of Frederick William IV

Birth of Frederick William IV, son of Frederick William III

Role range: 1840-1861

Succession

Succeeds as King of Prussia

Role range: 1840-1861

Cologne

Attends the celebrations marking the completion of Cologne Cathedral, becoming the first king of Prussia to enter a Roman Catholic building

Role range: 1840-1861

Constitution of Germany

The Diet is united against Frederick Williams idea of a representative Assembly. Refuses to allow a written Constitution. Refuses to allow a fully representative Assembly. Calls a national assembly, it is not a representative body, but rather a United Diet comprising all the provincial estates, which had the right to grant taxes and loans but no right to meet at regular intervals. Allows freedom of the press

Role range: 1840-1861

National Assembly

Calls a national assembly, it is not a representative body, but rather a United Diet comprising all the provincial estates, which had the right to grant taxes and loans but no right to meet at regular intervals

Role range: 1840-1861

United Diet

Calls a national assembly, it is not a representative body, but rather a United Diet comprising all the provincial estates, which had the right to grant taxes and loans but no right to meet at regular intervals

Role range: 1840-1861

Budget

The United Diet refuses to agree the loan for a new railway. The loan request for the Berlin-Konigsberg railway is rejected. Must offer a written Constitution & an elected Assembly before the loan is agreed. Calls up an Assembly for a loan to build a railway from Berlin to Bahgdad

Constitution of Germany

Must offer a written Constitution & an elected Assembly before the loan is agreed

United Diet

The United Diet refuses to agree the loan for a new railway

Prussian King Summons Provincial Estates

Frederick William IV called delegates from the eight Prussian provincial diets into a united assembly to consult on taxation and a proposed state loan.

United Diet Opens In Berlin

Frederick William IV inaugurated the first United Diet on 11 April as a gathering of provincial estates rather than a modern elected parliament.

Crown Rejects Parliamentary Sovereignty

Frederick William IV told the assembled estates that he would not permit a representative body to replace his monarchy with constitutional parliamentary rule.

King Defends Traditional Estates

Frederick William IV argued that representation should continue through the historic provincial estates instead of a parliament claiming an independent mandate.

King Seeks Railway Financing

Frederick William IV's government sought approval of borrowing for the planned railway connecting Berlin with the eastern provinces.

Royal Loan Plan Meets Resistance

Frederick William IV encountered opposition when deputies linked approval of a government loan to demands for stronger constitutional guarantees.

King Withholds Permanent Diet Sessions

Frederick William IV did not concede the regular autonomous meetings sought by reformers during the United Diet's debates.

United Diet Dissolves Without Constitution

Frederick William IV ended the United Diet without granting the written constitution demanded by many liberal representatives.

Deputies Debate Provincial Representation

The Prussian king's convocation brought delegates from provincial estates together to test whether traditional representation could answer demands for national political participation.

Diet Exposes Conflict Over Taxation

The United Diet revealed a dispute between the Prussian government and deputies over whether taxes and borrowing required meaningful legislative consent.

Constitutional Petition Confronts Crown

Liberal members of the United Diet petitioned Frederick William IV for constitutional rights beyond the limited consultative powers he had granted.

United Diet Highlights Prussian Liberalism

Frederick William IV's assembly gave liberal politicians an unusually visible forum to coordinate criticism of Prussia's existing system of government.

Diet Rejects Proposed State Borrowing

The government's attempt to finance railway construction through a public loan failed when the United Diet declined to authorize it on the offered terms.

Diet Debates Rights Of Assembly

Deputies disputed whether a United Diet should meet periodically and exercise independent political rights rather than exist as an occasional royal consultation.

Revolution of Germany

When revolution breaks out in Prussia, part of the larger Revolutions of 1848, the king initially moved to repress it with the army, but later decided to recall the troops and place himself at the head of the movement

Role range: 1840-1861

Constitution of Germany

Once his position is more secure again,quickly has the army reoccupy Berlin and dissolve the assembly

Role range: 1840-1861

National Assembly

Once his position is more secure again,quickly has the army reoccupy Berlin and dissolve the assembly

Role range: 1840-1861

Revolution of Germany

Once his position is more secure again,quickly has the army reoccupy Berlin and dissolve the assembly

Role range: 1840-1861

Siege of Berlin

Once his position is more secure again,quickly has the army reoccupy Berlin and dissolve the assembly

Role range: 1840-1861

Constitution of Germany

Frederick William IV agrees to demands for a constitution & to become leader of a united Germany

Role range: 1840-1861

Constitution of Germany

Frederick stays in his Palace surrounded by a mob who force constitutional reforms. Commits himself to German unification, forms a liberal Government and convenes a national assembly

Role range: 1840-1861

Constitution of Germany

The Frankfurt Assembly collapses after Frederick William IV refuses to be it's crowned head."

Role range: 1840-1861

Frankfurt Assembly

In the Revolutions of 1848 the Austrian dominated German Confederation is dissolved and the Frankfurt Assembly seeks to establish new constitutions for the German states

Role range: 1840-1861

Frankfurt Assembly

The Frankfurt Assembly collapses after Frederick William IV refuses to be it's crowned head

Role range: 1840-1861

German Confederation

Contacts Metternich to reform the German Confederation but Metternich is deposed

Role range: 1840-1861

National Assembly

Once his position is more secure again,quickly has the army reoccupy Berlin and dissolve the assembly. Commits himself to German unification, forms a liberal Government, convenes a national assembly, and orders that a Constitution of the Kingdom of Prussia

Role range: 1840-1861

Revolution of Germany

Capitulates to the demands of the revolutionaries in Berlin

Role range: 1840-1861

Revolution of Germany

Declares "Prussia will merge with Germany". Contacts Metternich to reform the German Confederation but Metternich is deposed. Commits himself to German unification, forms a liberal Government, convenes a national assembly, and orders that a Constitution of the Kingdom of Prussia.

Role range: 1840-1861

Revolution of Germany

Once his position is more secure again,quickly has the army reoccupy Berlin and dissolve the assembly. Wishes to stay with his "dear Berliners". Transfers responsibility for law & order to a civilian militia. The King's troops are overwhelmed & leave Berlin.

Role range: 1840-1861

Revolution of Germany

Stays in Berlin with the idea of leading a united Germany. Heads a procession wearing a black-red-gold armband. Frederick stays in his Palace surrounded by a mob who force constitutional reforms. Fredericks generals ask him to leave for Potsdam, he refuses & street violence ensues.

Role range: 1840-1861

Revolution of Germany

Transfers responsibility for law & order to a civilian militia. The King's troops are overwhelmed & leave Berlin. Stays in Berlin with the idea of leading a united Germany. Declares "Prussia will merge with Germany". Capitulates to the demands of the revolutionaries in Berlin