Sash of the National Guard 1848

German National Brotherhood in Arms

The wildfire of the revolution of 1848 blazed in black-red-gold, the symbol for German National unity and civil liberty. Due to social unrest, the armed organisation of citizens and students in a National Guard was quickly approved by the emperor. The lower classes remained definitely excluded from the National Guard. Because 1848 was a struggle against censorship and for political participation, but also one against the “wild, criminal activities of a depraved proletariat”.