History of Hanover (region) facts for kids

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Hanover (German: Hannover) is a historical region in Germany. Over time, it was a small state, then an important Electorate (a state whose ruler could help choose the Holy Roman Emperor), then an independent Kingdom, and finally a Province within Prussia.

The region was named after its main city, Hanover, which became the capital in 1636. Today, the name "Hanover" usually refers only to the city. Most of the historical Hanover region is now part of the German state of Lower Saxony.

How Hanover Was Formed
The Duchy of Brunswick and Lüneburg
- The Lüneburg Area
Hanover Becomes an Electorate (1708–1814)
Hanover Becomes a Kingdom (1814–1866)
Hanover as a Province (1866–1946)
See also

How Hanover Was Formed

Hanover was created by joining several smaller areas that were once part of the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg. From 1714 to 1837, Hanover shared its ruler with the United Kingdom. This was called a personal union. It ended when Queen Victoria became queen in Britain, because Hanover's laws did not allow a woman to rule if there was a male heir.

Before 1803, Hanover was part of the Holy Roman Empire. After being occupied by French and Prussian troops, it became independent again in 1814. At this point, Hanover was made into a kingdom, which lasted until 1866.

The Duchy of Brunswick and Lüneburg

For many years, starting in 1235, members of the Welf family were known as "Dukes of Brunswick and Lüneburg." They ruled several small areas in northwest Germany. These areas were often divided among sons or passed to other family members if a ruler died without heirs.

The different parts were named after important towns where the dukes lived, like Calenberg or Lüneburg. All these territories were connected because they were ruled by male descendants of Duke Otto I, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg.

The Lüneburg Area

The family line that would eventually lead to Hanover came from Bernard. He was one of three sons of Duke Magnus II. These brothers had ruled the Duchy of Brunswick together since 1388. But in 1428 and 1432, they divided the land. Bernard received the area of Lüneburg, with its main town being Celle.

Over the years, Lüneburg was divided further among different family members. In 1635, after some disagreements, parts of the land were given to the Lüneburg family branches. Augustus, a descendant of Henry III, became Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel.

George, another descendant, received the areas of Calenberg and Göttingen in 1635. In 1636, he moved his main residence from Pattensen to the town of Hannover within the Calenberg territory. This move was very important, as it laid the foundation for the future state of Hanover, even though it wasn't officially called "Hanover" until 1814.

In 1692, the Holy Roman Emperor promised to make Ernest Augustus, the Duke of Calenberg, an Elector. This important title meant he could help choose the Holy Roman Emperor. This change became official in 1708, after Ernest Augustus had passed away.

His son, George Louis, inherited Lüneburg in 1705, which doubled the size of the Hanoverian lands.

Dukes of Brunswick and Lüneburg in Lüneburg and Calenberg
Image	Name	Date	Notes
	William	1559–1592	Ruled with his brother Henry, then alone in Lüneburg.
	Ernest II	1592–1611	Eldest son of William, ruled Lüneburg.
	Christian	1611–1633	Second son of William, ruled Lüneburg.
	Augustus	1633–1636	Third son of William, ruled Lüneburg.
	Frederick	1636–1648	Fourth son of William, ruled Lüneburg.
	George	1635–1641	Fifth son of William. Moved his ducal seat to Hannover in 1636.
	Christian Louis	1641–1665	Son of George. Ruled in Calenberg, then inherited Lüneburg.
	George William	1648–1705	Brother of Christian Louis. Ruled in Calenberg, then Lüneburg.
	John Frederick	1665–1679	Brother of George William. Ruled in Calenberg.
	Ernest Augustus I	1679–1698	Brother of John Frederick. Ruled in Calenberg. Became an Elector in 1692.
	George Louis	1698–1708	Son of Ernest Augustus I. Inherited Lüneburg in 1705. Became Elector in 1708.

Hanover Becomes an Electorate (1708–1814)

In 1692, the Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I made Ernest Augustus, the Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, an Elector. This was a reward for his help in a war. This new title became official in 1708, for Ernest Augustus's son, George Louis. Even though his official titles were "Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg" and "Elector of the Holy Roman Empire," people often called him the "Elector of Hanover" because of his main residence.

Sketch map of Hanover, around 1720. It shows Hanover, Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, and the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück. Hanover gained Bremen-Verden in 1719.

The Electorate of Hanover was legally set up to be indivisible. This meant it could grow, but it could not be split up among different heirs. The oldest male heir would always inherit it. The Electorate included the areas of Calenberg, Grubenhagen, and Lüneburg, along with the counties of Diepholz and Hoya.

George Louis became King of Great Britain in 1714. This meant the same person ruled both Hanover and Great Britain. The power of the Hanoverian Electors in Germany also grew. They gained the former Swedish territories of Bremen and Verden in 1719. In 1803, the Electorate also received the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück.

Hanover became a battlefield during the Seven Years' War. French forces invaded Hanover in 1757. A peace agreement was made, saying Hanover would be neutral, but George II later cancelled it. Hanoverian forces fought back and pushed the French out.

In 1803, French forces occupied Hanover again. From 1807 to 1813, Hanover was part of the Kingdom of Westphalia, a state created by Napoleon. However, the British government, led by George III, never accepted this. Hanoverian officials continued to work from London. Many Hanoverian soldiers went to England and formed the King's German Legion. This group was the only German army that fought against the French throughout the Napoleonic Wars. They played a key role in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Even though the Holy Roman Empire ended in 1806, George III continued to call himself "Elector of Hanover" until 1814.

Electors of Hanover
Image	Name	Date	Notes
	George I	1708–1727	Son of Ernest Augustus I. Became King of Great Britain in 1714.
	George II	1727–1760	Son of George I.
	George III	1760–1814	Grandson of George II. Became King of the United Kingdom in 1801. Became King of Hanover in 1814.

Hanover Becomes a Kingdom (1814–1866)

In 1813, George III regained control of his Hanoverian lands. In October 1814, at the Congress of Vienna, Hanover was officially made an independent Kingdom of Hanover. Hanover gained more land, including the Bishopric of Hildesheim and East Frisia. It also gave up some smaller areas.

The personal union with the United Kingdom ended in 1837. This happened when Queen Victoria became queen in Britain. Hanover's laws meant that a woman could not inherit the throne if there was a male heir. So, the crown of Hanover passed to her uncle, Ernest Augustus.

In the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, Hanover was taken over by Prussia. It then became the Province of Hanover.

Kings of Hanover
Image	Name	Date	Notes
	George III	1814–1820	Was mentally unwell; power was held by a regent.
	George IV	1820–1830	Son of George III. Was regent from 1811–1820.
	William IV	1830–1837	Brother of George IV. Last monarch to rule both Hanover and the United Kingdom.
	Ernest Augustus	1837–1851	Brother of William IV. Became King of Hanover when Queen Victoria took the British throne.
	George V	1851–1866	Son of Ernest Augustus. Lost his lands to Prussia in the Austro-Prussian War.

Hanover as a Province (1866–1946)

The Province of Hanover (German: Provinz Hannover) was a part of the Kingdom of Prussia and later the Free State of Prussia from 1868 to 1946.

In 1946, after World War II, the British military administration created the new German state of Lower Saxony. The Province of Hanover became the main part of this new state. Other areas like Oldenburg, Brunswick, and Schaumburg-Lippe also joined. The city of Hanover became the capital of this new state.