An important document during the German Revolution, the Mainz Petition
was drafted June 11-14, 1848. The document was signed by the mayor,
local officials, and selected citizens of the town of Mainz. I am
looking for the names of the people that signed the petition, most
importantly the mayor. My great-great-grandfather was known to have
been born in Mainz 1826 and he was known to have been a Bürgermeister
(mayor) near Frankfurt, Germany. We believe he became a young
Bürgermeister of Mainz after the revolution and immigrated to america
when the revolutionaries were overthrown a little over a year later.
His last name is Wenzel. I have found the demands of the Mainz
Petition, but can not find the signers. Thanks in advance... |
Clarification of Question by
hungars1663-ga
on
18 Jul 2003 06:21 PDT
Thanks for the reply. I believe the date of March 3, 1848 is accurate
for the Mainz Petition. The June 11-14 date may have been referring
to some other element regarding the petition.
We have 4 older relatives that remember the story of our immigrant
ancestor being a Bürgermeister. One recalled he was the Bürgermeister
of Frankfurt. Since Frankfurt is a big city across the river from
Mainz, I assume the version she knew of was 'near' Frankfurt. I have
established that our immigrant ancestor was born in Mainz. So I am
assuming he was the Bürgermeister of Mainz. However, other
possibilities exist.
He was born in 1826. He was one of the college student
revolutionaries that overthrew the existing government in 1848. By
1850, the revolutionaries were thrown out of office and by mid-1850,
he had immigated to America.
Other proof, such as a list of the Bürgermeisters of Mainz or a proof
that he was a mayor of another nearby city or town during that time
frame would be acceptable answers for the $.
I have provided his last name only 'Wenzel' at this point. Thank you
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Clarification of Question by
hungars1663-ga
on
19 Jul 2003 11:35 PDT
Thanks for continuing the search.
It is my understanding that Germany was ruled as separate kingdoms
before 1848. Yes, Mainz was part of Hesse-Darmstadt.
The revolution sought to unify Germany and give more rights to the
people. There was initially strong support for the revolution which
forced many rulers to give in to the demands of March.
Märzministerien (liberal governments) were installed in an attempt to
calm the unruly masses, to contain the dissemination of revolutionary
ideas, and to salvage the monarchies by offering concessions. My
extended family believes that our Wenzel ancestor was installed as a
Bürgermeister at this point.
Conservative forces saw that the liberal movement was divided into
several groups having sharply different aims. Furthermore, the
liberals had little support left among the lower classes, who
supported them in the first weeks of the revolution. Few liberals
desired popular democracy or were willing to enact radical economic
reforms that would help farmers and artisans. As a result, the masses
deserted the liberals. Thus, conservatives were able to win sizable
elements of these groups to their side by promising to address their
concerns. Many Germans who had hoped for the success of the German
Revolution were unwilling to return to a life under the restored
authoritarian regimes and chose emigration, mostly to the United
States.
I don't beleive he was the Mayor of Frankfurt, although there is a
slight possibility. He was likely the Mayor of Mainz, but any nearby
city or town (in Hesse-Darmstadt, Hesse-Kassel, or Nassau) is
possible. I know he was born in Mainz.
When he came to America he was a member of Old Otterbein Church in
Baltimore. The faith is United Brethren. I suspect he was protestant
in Germany.
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