Anhalt
(1813-1871, Anhalt-Dessau until 1863)
The Duchy of Anhalt-Dessau, a German state since the seventeenth century, was a member state of the Germanic Confederation in 1815. In 1863, the duchies of Anhalt-Bernburg and Anhalt-Köthen were united and renamed the Duchy of Anhalt. The country consisted of two larger portions—Eastern and Western Anhalt, separated by the interposition of a part of Prussian Saxony and of five enclaves surrounded by Prussian territory. During the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, Anhalt sided with Prussia. Anhalt became a member state of the North German Confederation in 1867. The military became a contingent of the Prussian army on 28 June 1867. Anhalt became a state of the German Empire in 1871.
There was a whirlwind of succession in Anhalt with three rulers during World War I. Frederick II, Duke of Anhalt, reigned until April 1918, when he died without issue. His younger brother, Eduard succeeded him. He lived only five months and was succeeded by his eldest son, Joachim Ernst. As Joachim Ernst was only 17, Aribert, the fourth son of Frederick I, was appointed regent at the end of World War l just before he and his family were overthrown and Germany declared a republic. Aribert was widely rumored to be homosexual. His marriage to Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein, was termed null and void in 1900, and she obtained a British title. The future King Edward VII of England is reported to have said: ” Ach, poor Louise, she has returned as she went-a virgin.” Ostensibly, the marriage ended with her abandonment of her husband. It is rumored that she had found Aribert with another man. She believed that he married her under false pretenses and could not even consummate the marriage, but his family disowned her while she was out of the country. He divorced her without her consent and allowed word to spread that it was because she couldn’t have children. Aribert never remarried.
The duchy was a hereditary constitutional monarchy. There was one chamber in the parliament. The parliament was comprised of 36 members, of whom the duke appointed two; eight were representatives of landowners paying the highest taxes, two were the highest taxpayers of commerce and industry, fourteen from the towns, and ten from the rural districts.
In 1914, the population was approximately 333,000 of which 95 percent were Protestant and members of the Evangelical (Union) Church. The capital was Dessau. The duchy was 2,294 km² in size. The soldiers were concentrated in Anhaltisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr.93.