Generalgouvernement of Saxony

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The General Government of Saxony (officially: General Government of the High Allied Powers ) was an administrative unit within the central administrative department of the anti-Napoleonic Allies from 1813 to 1815.

history

The Saxon King Friedrich August I was captured because of his continued support for Napoleon after the defeat of the Emperor in the Battle of Leipzig and interned in Friedrichsfelde Palace . The administration of the Kingdom of Saxony was transferred to the Central Administration Department under the Baron von Stein . On October 21, 1813, the Generalgouvernement of Saxony was the first of its kind to be established.

The Russian general Nikolai Grigoryevich Repnin-Volkonsky took over the management . The government council consisted of Russian, Prussian and, for the most part, Saxon officials. The Saxon officials had to swear allegiance to the new order or were dismissed. The rules of procedure were based on the Prussian administration reformed after 1808. Von Stein appointed the later Prussian minister of culture, Johann Albrecht Friedrich von Eichhorn, as general secretary as representative of the central administration department .

General commissioners were appointed as sub-authorities. The principalities of Altenburg , Reuss , Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt and Schwarzburg-Sondershausen were also incorporated into the Generalgouvernement .

The governor general's policy was aimed at the connection of Saxony to Prussia. Demonstratively, he had the prayer for the Saxon royal family deleted or the censorship ordered for expressions loyal to the king. These measures increased the mood in the population in favor of the captured monarch. The bad behavior of the Russian troops also had a negative effect, which led to clashes between Saxons and Russians.

The governor general and his administration tried to restore orderly conditions after the chaos of war. Large parts of the country were devastated by the consequences of the war. An aid and recovery commission was set up to remedy the immediate emergency.

In addition, the financial situation of Saxony was stabilized and a new police constitution was created. The Frauenkirche was restored during this time, the Great Garden was opened to the public , the royal collections were made accessible to the public and destroyed bridges (such as the Augustus Bridge, at that time the only Dresden Elbe bridge) were restored. The Surgical-Medical Academy was also founded in Leipzig in 1813. An industrial school was established in Dresden. Repnin-Wolkonski tried to make Dresden the center of German art through various measures.

The Saxon army was restored and the Landwehr and Landsturm formed. In addition, a volunteer corps was set up with the banner of the voluntary Saxons . Saxon troops continued with the wars of liberation. In addition to troops, Saxony also made contributions.

In November 1814, the leadership of the General Government was transferred to the Prussian Minister Eberhard von der Recke . After Napoleon's final defeat, the king was able to return. He later reversed various reforms from the time of the General Government. At the Congress of Vienna it was determined that Saxony had to cede a large part of the country to Prussia. This also ended the government general phase.

literature

  • Roman Töppel: The Saxons and Napoleon. A mood picture from 1806–1813. Cologne u. a., 2008 ISBN 978-3-412-20163-0 , pp. 224-228.
  • Sigismund Stern: Stone and its Age. Leipzig, 1855, pp. 408-410.

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