German Progress Party

The German Progress Party (Deutsche Fortschrittspartei or DFP) was the first modern political party with a program in Germany, founded by the liberal members of the Prussian Lower House in 6 June, 1861.

Related Topics:
Prussian - 6 June - 1861

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In its program the party demanded among other things unification of Germany with the central power in Prussia, representative democracy, implementation of the rule of law and larger responsibility for the local government. Between 1861 and 1865 it had the largest group in the Prussian Lower House.

Related Topics:
Unification of Germany - Representative democracy - Rule of law - 1861 - 1865

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After the parliament had approved a law granting an amnesty for the government of Otto von Bismarck for its arbitrary conduct concerning the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, the party split apart. In 1867 the right wing of the party which supported the foreign policy of Bismarck seceded to form the National Liberal Party. In 1868 a democratic-republican wing in Southern Germany seceded to form German People's Party.

Related Topics:
Otto von Bismarck - Austro-Prussian War - 1866 - 1867 - National Liberal Party - 1868 - German People's Party

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In 5 March, 1884 the party finally merged with the Liberal Union into German Freeminded Party.

Related Topics:
5 March - 1884 - Liberal Union - German Freeminded Party

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The leaders of the party included Baron Leopold von Hoverbeck, Benedikt Franz Leo Waldeck and Hans Victor von Unruh, after the split of 1867 von Hoverbeck and Waldeck, who were soon succeeded by Eugen Richter.

Related Topics:
Leopold von Hoverbeck - Benedikt Franz Leo Waldeck - Hans Victor von Unruh - Eugen Richter

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