PT Journal
AU Sedivy, M
TI Wars of Independence in 1813-1815: Myth and Reality
SO Historica Olomucensia
PY 2014
BP 39
EP 56
VL 46
IS 1
DE German; France; wars of independence; Napoleon; German nationalism; volunteers; 1813-1815
AB The period from 1813 to 1815 saw the final stage of Napoleonic wars in which the French emperor was definitely defeated and Central Europe was liberated from his supremacy. This conflict has become known in the German historical memory such as wars of independence. According to a traditional interpretation, during the course of events a large popular uprising spread over the whole Germany and all social classes whose supporters ought to fight not only for freedom but also for the establishment of the German national state. The present paper attempts to support the groundlessness of this claim and to point out the fact that a question of a political unity was reflected only by an insignificant minority of Germans in that times and had no influence on a result of a battle against Napoleonic France. The myth of wars of independence has been purposely created and nourished by nationalists, who intended to gain a support of German inhabitants through that fabricated legend for their own political goals.
ER