History of Europe

The end of the Kingdom of Hanover

In Langensalza, a rider monument commemorates the costly battle in the 19th century.

The history of today's Lower Saxony is closely linked to the ruling family of the Guelphs and their connections to Great Britain. In northern Germany, their sphere of influence at times extends from East Friesland to the Göttingen area. The area became a kingdom under King George IV in the course of the reorganization of Europe at the Congress of Vienna in 1814/15. But the agreement does not last long. 1866 was a fateful year for the Kingdom of Hanover, which perished on a battlefield near Langensalza.

Hanover is in trouble

In 1866, a war broke out between the two great powers of Prussia and Austria for supremacy in Germany. The militarily strong Prussia, which is economically aspiring through the German Customs Union - to which Austria does not belong - sees its chance to take over the leadership in Germany. 13 states - including the Kingdom of Hanover - fight alongside Austria against Prussia and its 18 mostly North German allies. When Prussian units advanced from Hamburg and Minden towards Hanover in mid-June, the Hanoverian army tried to retreat to the south and unite with the troops of its allies. At Langensalza in Thuringia, however, there was a battle with the Prussians on June 27, from which the Hanoverians initially emerged victorious. But the battle with the Prussian units has completely destroyed the poorly equipped Hanoverian army - which continues to face a modern military superiority without supplies.

The Surrender

On June 29, 1866, the Hanoverian army surrendered with the approval of King George V. The Kingdom of Hanover became a Prussian province and disappeared from the German map as an independent state. Georg goes into exile - first to Vienna, later to Paris. On July 3, 1866, the Prussians won the decisive victory over Austria in the Battle of Königgrätz in Bohemia. Under the leadership of Prussia, the German Empire was founded in 1871 - to which Austria no longer belonged. The former Guelph area now belongs to the province of Hanover, which was merged into the federal state of Lower Saxony after the Second World War.

Dispute over confiscated Welf property

George V of Hanover and his heirs fight for the possession of the Guelphs.

Until his death on June 12, 1878, George V demanded the return of his lands. His descendants also maintained their claims against the Prussian state. It was not until 1933, after a protracted process, that the Reichsgericht awarded the House of Hanover compensation of around ten million Reichsmarks as well as the Guelph headquarters at Marienburg Castle south of Hanover and the Calenberg estate.