"An meine lieben Berliner!" - Proklamation von Friedrich Wilhelm IV. - Flugschrift

“To my dear Berliners”
Proclamation of 19 March 1848 by King Frederick William IV

King Frederick William IV issued this proclamation in the form of a poster on the day after the night of battles on the barricades. It was also published in the Vossische Zeitung on 20 March 1948. Here the king presents his own view of the revolution of 18/19 March, in which more than 300 people lost their lives. In his account, disruptive individuals who do not live in Berlin came to the city to stir up trouble. They spread lies about soldiers’ actions, called for revenge and were therefore responsible for the bloodshed. His soldiers had only used their weapons in self-defence.

In this psychologically astute text, the king seeks to win over “well meaning” and peaceful Berliners by distinguishing them from insurgents with “brazen demands”. He promises to withdraw his soldiers if men “imbued with the true old Berlin spirit” are dispatched to serve as his guards. In fatherly tones, he calls on the residents of his “loyal and lovely” Berlin to quickly forget these events, calling it all a mistake. Tearfully, almost pleadingly, he and the queen, who “has retired in distress”, ask for understanding and sympathy.

The poster was originally produced by the royal printing house. It has retained a certain notoriety to this day. At the time it was considered so peculiar that Ferdinand Reichardt, an enterprising book seller, had it reprinted as a souvenir.