ABSTRACT
This chapter examines Frankfurt Reform Act, 1 September 1863. A programme agreed at a congress of German rulers convened by Austria but not attended by the King of Prussia. In Art. 1. The purpose of the German Confederation is to preserve the security and power of Germany against the outside world, to preserve internal order, to protect the constitutional independence of the individual German states. In Art. 2. Conduct of confederal matters shall be undertaken by a Directory drawn from the princes and free cities of Germany, a Bundesrat will be formed from envoys of the governments, an assembly of confederal deputies shall meet periodically, an assembly of princes shall meet periodically, a confederal court shall be established. In Art. 3. The assembly of deputies is elected by state parliaments with 75 each from Austria and Prussia and 152 deputies from the other states. The assembly had certain rights of participation in law making.
