Kingdom of Hanover

The Kingdom of Hanover was a German state established in 1814 after the Congress of Vienna. It was ruled by the Hanoverian branch of the British royal family until 1837, when the personal union with Britain ended. Hanover became an independent kingdom, maintaining its sovereignty within the German Confederation.

In 1866, during the Austro-Prussian War, Hanover found itself on the losing side. King George V of Hanover, who was its last king, supported Austria against Prussia, a decision that proved costly. After Prussia’s victory, Hanover was annexed by Prussia. The kingdom was dissolved, and its territory was incorporated into the Prussian province of Hanover, therefore ending its independence.

For the Region of Kilden, the annexation posed a big threat. The Prussian king, Wilhelm I, gained more power over the Region, making the already unstable Kilden cooperation even more problematic.