1. The Revolution in Prussia

2. Causes
Fredrick Willliam, first thought to be a supporter of Liberal reforms, adopts restrictive policies, then later changes back to Liberal ideas. Shows the king to be an unstable leader.
Revolution breaks out in Paris, overthrowing the French King. News of this quickly spreads to Germany.
A demonstration led by workers, mainly craftsmen demand pay rises. After throwing stones at the soldiers there, the demonstrators are fired upon. Riots start.

3. Events
Fredrick William agrees to end censorship, recall the United Diet, and accepts the idea of a New German Constitution.
Large crown gathers outside the King’s Palace. The crown cheers at the sight of the King. Fredrick William orders the crowd to be dispersed. Soldiers fire upon the crowd, resulting in the deaths of 300 people. Crowds set up barricades in the streets.
Letter issued by the King a few days later. It promises the withdrawal of troops from Berlin if the barricades are removed. This is accepted, and the soldiers leave the city. Frederick William is now only protected by the Civic Guard.
The King is forced to salute the bodies of those who were killed during the riots. Proceeds to grant some general reforms, and then leaves the city
A new Liberal Ministry is set up in Berlin.

4. Events The King reunites with his loyal army at Potsdam.
Many of the King’s conservative advisors encouraged Frederick William to win back power.
The King ends the war against Denmark, then ousts the Ministry, who started the war, from power.
Frederick William appoints his Uncle Count Brandenburg to head up a new Ministry.
A new constitution is set up, guaranteeing freedom of religion, assembly and association.
The new assembly is represented by an upper house, consisting of property land owners, and a lower house consisting of manhood suffrage.
The constitution guarantees the King to have the divine right to rule, but limits his freedom to act.

5. The Legacy
The new Prussian constitution was hoped to be a model for a united Germany
Prussia was planned to be the leading state in Germany.
Frederick William would be the leading monarch of Germany.
Prussia would impose control over Germany, and not be united by a national parliament.