Ban on black, red and gold

The German Confederation suppresses the German tricolour

As the eminence grise of the German Confederation (founded in 1815), the Austrian Chancellor Prince Metternich dedicated himself to suppressing nationalism and democracy in order to maintain monarchical rule in the German states. In alliance with other reactionary powers, he cajoled and strong-armed the states of the German Confederation into taking action to preserve the political and social status quo. Browbeaten and oppressed by widespread police censorship and surveillance, and surrounded by informants, many progressive citizens gave up any hope of change and retreated into the private idyll of the Biedermeier era.

Any hope offered to German progressives by the successful July Revolution in France (1830) was dashed not long after. A meeting of liberals and nationalists at the Hambach Festival in 1832 provoked a crackdown on the freedom of parliamentary speech, whilst the Ten Articles passed on 5 July 1832 banned all public associations and meetings with a political cause. Public festivals could only be organized with prior permission, and publications required official approval. Any symbols, ribbons or flags with a political meaning were banned. The prime target of this move was the new combination of black, red and gold that symbolized the widespread desire for a liberal, democratic and – above all – united Germany.