Alliance between Prussia and Mecklenburg-Schwerin
In witness whereof the above-named Plenipotentiaries have
signed the same this day in duplicate, and appended their Seals.
Done at Berlin, August 17, 1866.
(L.S.) von FREYDORF.
(L.S.) von BISMARCK.
3.1183 Alliance between Prussia and Mecklen-
burg-Schwerin
Alliance Members:Prussia and Mecklenburg-Schwerin
Signed On:August 21, 1866, in the city of Berlin. In force until the
formation of the North German Confederation on April 17, 1867.
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:British Foreign and State Papers,vol. 56, p. 1041.
SUMMARY
Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz were two of the
poorer areas of the German lands. Both were also staunch allies of the
Prussians and fought together against both the Austrians and later the
French. The grand duchies were also members of the North German
Confederation and the customs union, or Zollverein.The duke of
Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Friedrich Franz II, held the rank of Prussian
general and commanded several of the German armies attacking
France in 1870 and 1871.
Alliance Text
In order to give expression in form of Treaty to the league which
exists between Prussia, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and Mecklen-
burg-Strelitz, those States have determined to conclude a Treaty
of Alliance, and for that purpose have given full powers,
His Majesty the King of Prussia, to His Minister-President,
and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Count Otto von Bismarck-
Schönhausen, Knight of the Order of the Black Eagle, &c. ;
His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schw-
erin, to His President of the Ministry of State and Minister for
Foreign Affairs, Jasper von Oertzen, Grand Cross of the Grand
Ducal Mecklenburg Family Order of the Wendish Crown,
Knight of the Royal Prussian Order of the Red Eagle, first class,
and of the Royal Prussian Order of the Crown, first class, &c. ;
His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Stre-
litz, to His Minister of State, Bernand von Bülow, Grand Cross
of the Grand Ducal Mecklenburg Family Order of the Wendish
Crown, and of the Royal Danish Order of the Danebrog, Knight
of the Imperial Austrian Order of the Iron Crown, and of the
Imperial Russian Order of St. Anne, first class, &c. ;
Who, after exchanging their full powers and finding them in
good and proper form, have agreed upon the following Articles :
ART. I. The Governments of Prussia, Mecklenburg-Schwerin,
and Mecklenburg-Strelitz, conclude an offensive and defensive
alliance for the maintenance of the independence and integrity
as well as of the internal and external security of their States, and
enter forthwith for the joint defence of their possessions, which
they reciprocally guarantee to one another by this alliance.
II. The objects of this alliance shall be secured definitively by
a Federal Constitution on the basis of the Prussian outlines of
June 10, 1866, with the co-operation of a common Parliament
hereafter to be convoked.
III. All Treaties and Conventions now existing between the
Allies remain in force, in so far as they are not expressly modi-
fied by the present Treaty of Alliance.
IV. The troops of the Allies are under the supreme command
of His Majesty the King of Prussia. The assistance to be ren-
dered during the war will be settled by special agreements.
V. The Confederate Governments will, simultaneously with
Prussia and those States with which Prussia has concluded a
similar alliance, provide for the election of Deputies to the Par-
liament, on the basis of the Electoral Law of April 12, 1849, and
will convoke the Parliament conjointly with Prussia. They will
at the same time send Plenipotentiaries to. Berlin, to arrange the
project of the Federal Constitution on the basis of the outlines
of 10th June of this year; that project is to be laid before Parlia-
ment for discussion and settlement.
VI. As the Governments of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, and
Mecklenburg-Strelitz are unable, by the Constitution of those
Grand Duchies, to settle certain matters which this Treaty of
Alliance refers to the Parliament, without the assent of their
“States,” in the way of Legislation, and can, therefore, not
undertake positive Treaty obligations in that respect towards
other States on their own responsibility, they, the Grand Ducal
Governments of Mecklenburg, must, while signing this Treaty,
reserve their further definitive declaration for a future time,
only, however, as regards Articles II and V of the Treaty, as they
at once accept all the rest.
Prussia wishes to have the above reservation, with regard to
Articles II and V, settled with the least possible delay, and both
the Mecklenburgs promise to effect and expedite the settlement
of the same as far as lies in their power.
VII. The duration of the alliance is fixed until the conclusion
of the new Confederation, and contingently for a year, if the
Confederation should not be concluded before the expiration
of a year.
VIII. The foregoing Treaty of Alliance shall be ratified and
the ratifications exchanged at Berlin as soon as possible, but at
latest within 3 weeks from the date of its conclusion.
In witness whereof the Plenipotentiaries have signed and
sealed the present Treaty of Alliance.
Done at Berlin, August 21, 1866.
(L.S.) COUNT von BISMARCK.
(L.S.) von OERTZEN.
(L.S.) B. von BÜLOW.3.1184 Alliance between Prussia and Bavaria
Alliance Members:Prussia and Bavaria
Signed On:August 22, 1866, in the city of Berlin. In force until
Bavaria’s entrance into the North German Confederation on November
25, 1870.