Coup of 1856 in Luxembourg (1856)

The Coup of 1856 was a reactionary constitutional revision in Luxembourg, enacted by King-Grand Duke William III on 27 November 1856. Although not a true coup, detractors labeled it a 'royal coup' because William III unilaterally expanded his powers without the Chamber of Deputies' consent. The revision aimed to reverse liberal gains from 1848, aligning the constitution with the German Confederation, and was later undone in 1868.

Episodes

Background and detail

Political Context. The de la Fontaine government collapsed in 1848, and Jean-Jacques Willmar's government was dismissed in 1853 despite retaining the Chamber's confidence. In October 1856, Governor Prince Henry announced constitutional amendments, claiming they were necessary to align Luxembourg with the German Confederation. This move outraged liberals in the Chamber, who demanded respect for the freedoms won in 1848 and Luxembourg's independence from the Netherlands.

Constitutional Changes. William III unilaterally instituted a new, reactionary constitution, ruling Luxembourg personally separate from the Dutch crown. Key changes included adding that 'sovereignty resides in the person of the King-Grand Duke' and restricting freedom of the press. These measures expanded the Grand Duke's powers significantly. The revision was approved by the German Confederation in January 1857 but was largely undone by the new constitution in 1868.

People involved

Sources

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