What is carlsbad decree?

The Carlsbad Decrees were a series of laws implemented in the German Confederation in 1819, following the assassination of August von Kotzebue, a conservative German dramatist. The decrees were aimed at suppressing liberal and nationalist ideas, and were seen as a response to the growing demands for constitutional reform and political liberalization throughout the region.

The decrees, which were enforced by a newly created federal police force, curtailed freedom of the press and public assembly, and required professors to take an oath of loyalty to the state. They also established central censorship of all publications, and prohibited student organizations that were deemed politically subversive.

While the decrees were initially successful in suppressing dissent and maintaining order, they ultimately fueled the rise of revolutionary movements throughout Germany in the mid-19th century. The restrictions on free speech and assembly cemented the widespread perception of autocratic rule, and made it increasingly difficult for reformers to bring about meaningful change through peaceful means.