The Revolutions of 1848 in the German states

The Revolutions in Prussia

In Berlin, the Prussian capital, crowds of people gathered, particularly in the beer gardens and outside the gates of town (or the royal palace), their demands culminating in an "address to the king". King Frederick William, overwhelmed by this pressure, yielded verbally to all the demonstrators' demands, including parliamentary elections, a constitution, and freedom of the press. He even promised that "Prussia was to be merged forthwith into Germany." However, on March 18, a large demonstration occurred (presumably in Berlin, look this up), and someone accidentally shot two people, leading to an escalation of tensions. Barricades were erected, fighting started, and blood flowed until troops were ordered to retreat. Afterwards, Frederick William attempted to reassure the public that the reorganization of his government would proceed, and the king also approved the idea of arming the citizens. On March 21, he paraded through the streets of Berlin accompanied by some ministers and generals, all wearing the tricolor of black, red, and yellow (the flag of the new Germany, symbolising respectively gunpowder, blood and flame).

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