ABSTRACT
Germany had been profoundly affected by the wars of the French Revolution, especially the Rhineland where there had been considerable fighting and where scores of tiny principalities had been abolished. The authority of the Habsburg Holy Roman Emperor had been undermined by French victories, and the princes of the larger territories in the south and west. In 1801, February 9, Peace of Luneville between France and Austria results in the left bank of the Rhine becoming French territory. First Treaty of Paris includes a statement to the effect that all German territories between Austria and France are to be independent and united in a federation in 1814, May 30. In August 6, 1819, opening of a conference of the German rulers at Carlsbad where Metternich wins sufficient support to have a series of reactionary decrees carried by the Federal Diet. In September 20, 1819, the Federal Diet confirms the Carlsbad decrees.
