An Mein Volk facts for kids
The An Mein Volk ("To my People") proclamation was a very important message from King Frederick William III of Prussia. He sent it out on March 17, 1813, from a city called Breslau (which is now in Poland). This message was for all his people, both Prussians and Germans. It asked them to help fight against Napoleon, who was a powerful French leader. The war had officially started the day before this message was sent.
This document was special because it was the first time a Prussian king directly spoke to his people to explain his decisions. At this time, the capital city of Berlin was controlled by French forces. A Prussian advisor named Theodor Gottlieb von Hippel wrote the proclamation. It was then published in a newspaper called the Schlesische privilegirte Zeitung on March 20, 1813.
Why was An Mein Volk Important?
This proclamation was a big deal because it said that the king, the country, and the people were all united. It led to a huge growth in the Prussian Army. Many new groups were formed, like local armies called militias, volunteer soldiers known as Jäger, and special volunteer units called Freikorps. One famous Freikorps was led by Major Adolf von Lützow. All these groups joined the fight in what was known as the German Campaign of 1813.
See also
- War of the Sixth Coalition
- Landsturm
