The history of the Hambach Festival revealed it was a German national democratic event held from May 27 to 30, 1832, at Hambach Castle, near Neustadt an der Weinstraße, in the current region of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The newspaper press then spoke freely and boldly in South Germany, admonishing all Germans, and in Rhenish Bavaria. An association was founded for the protection of the press.
Also, at the celebration of the Bavarian constitutional charter grant, an enormous popular assembly was held on the 24th of May, 1832, near Neustadt on the Hardt. When the black, red, and gold standard was planted, speeches were made advocating for the unification of Germany and the erection of a common German constitution based on the sovereignty of the people.
This democratic movement was confined to the Rhenish and easily suppressed by the Bavaria government. The excesses of the small democratic group provided the reactionaries with a welcome pretext to cast further doubt on the constitutional principle. Metternich declared with great energy that the states were in danger and again compelled the Congress of the Confederation to take steps against the popular cause.
Rhenish Bavaria took measures against the movement and prohibited the Press Association, imprisoned bold orators and newspaper writers, and on the 28th of June, 1832, the Confederation passed several resolutions aimed primarily at opposing the effectiveness of southwest German estates and the right to impose taxes.
The latter was almost entirely abolished, and the governments were exhorted to permit nothing that might stand in the way of the confederation’s resolutions. It suppressed all unions and popular assemblies, as well as all papers expressive of liberal opinions, and did away with press freedom in the grand duchy of Baden. The wearing of German colors was forbidden, and the persecution of all Democrats and zealous liberals was instituted.
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