Gustav von Mevissen

Gustav Mevissen, since 1884 Gustav von Mevissen ( born May 20, 1815 in Dülken, Rhine Province; † August 13, 1899 in Bad Godesberg ) was a German businessman and politician. Starting from the textile manufacturing Mevissen invested in railway construction and heavy industry. As the founder of numerous banks, including the Bank of Darmstadt, as well as insurance, he is one of the pioneers of the German banking and insurance. As a politician, he was one of the leading representatives of the Rhenish liberalism. Mevissen belonged to the county council of the Rhine Province, the United parliament, the Frankfurt National Assembly and from 1866 the Prussian mansion.

Family and Education

Mevissen came from a Catholic Rhineland merchant family from the environment of significant already in pre-industrial textile town of Krefeld. He was the son of Gerhard Mevissen ( 1776-1843 ). His father had risen from journeyman to master at twisting commercial, had in 1798 acquired a twisting mill and they added a Garnhandlung. As a merchant and factory owner he already had business relationships throughout the Rhineland. In 1834 the father expanded the business even through the acquisition of an oil mill. His mother was Catharina Elisabeth (born greed Lings ). The father was not only a businessman, but also to the intellectual developments of the time interested. His children he raised, therefore, in the spirit of Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi. Between 1828 and 1830 visited Mevissen in Cologne, first the Protestant grammar school, and later the Catholic Marzellengymnasium and the higher civil school to Tertia. Although he showed scientific interest, he entered in 1830 into the company from his father and completed a commercial apprenticeship. In addition, he continued his education through reading itself. Even trips to Belgium, France, and England 1836-1838 extended the intellectual horizon of Mevissen.

Mevissen married in 1846 Elise suffering. He and his wife had five daughters, including the later suffragette Matilda of Mevissen. After eleven years of marriage his wife died in 1857. Mevissen In 1860 Therese married Leiden, the sister of his first wife.

Economic rise

1834 took over the management of his father's Mevissen oil mill and was in the same year the founders of the Cologne institution for general trade and commerce. Four years later he became a partner of the German - English Steamship Company, and in the following year also partakers of the father thread factory, where he first shared the management with his sister Wilhelmina. In 1839 he was co-founder of the Rhenish Allgemeine Zeitung.

1841 moved Mevissen to Cologne. There he founded with a partner a wholesaler for textiles. After the marriage of his sister, the new brother took over the business in largely Dülken while Mevissen moved his life and business focus to Cologne. One of the first transactions in which he participated, was in 1842 the establishment of the Rheinische Zeitung, along with Ludolf Campenhausen and others. Here, economic aspirations and political goals mixed. Mevissen published in the inspired by Karl Marx as editor leaf itself some items. The Prussian government forbade the sheet already in 1843.

Although the textile industry remained the core of his business, he worked in a variety of industries, particularly in the transport and heavy industry, the insurance industry and the banking business. Already in the 1830s, Mevissen called for the formation of public limited companies about the financing of mechanized Flachsgarnspinnereien, in the early 1840s for mining companies and banks. He pushed so even though the opposition of the Prussian bureaucracy.

1843 Mevissen was a board member of the Rhenish Railway Company, from 1844 until its nationalization in 1880, he was its president. Since the 1846/47 saw the foundation of the Association of German Railway Administrations, who made himself particularly worthy of technical standards and the standardization of operating procedures of the many private and state railways and lobbying contributed to the governments, Mevissen took over in the joint association work of the German railways an influential role.

1845 Mevissen was involved in the founding of the sea, river and land transport insurance company Agrippina. In April 1848 Mevissen was appointed director of the Cologne branch of the Loan Fund. In September 1848 he was involved as appointed by the Prussian State Commissioner instrumental in the rescue of A. Schaaffhausen Bank Corporation and its conversion into a corporation. Mevissen was the first director of the company, in 1857 he joined the supervisory board, where he served until 1875. Under Mevissens leadership, the bank continued to participate in the financing of the emerging industry. He has been involved since 1856 in the development of Siegerländer ore deposits.

Mevissen as a politician

Mevissen and the Rhenish liberalism

Politically Mevissen was initially strongly influenced by southern German liberalism to Charles of Rotteck, but also from other Rhenish liberals. In 1835, he even wrote an "Ode to Rotteck ". Two years later, he designed influenced by Hanse 's magazine " Prussia and France," a petition to the provincial government against the high class taxes. In the political and business contact with other Rhine liberals as Ludolf Campenhausen and Hermann von Beckerath Mevissen be developed into a leading representatives of the Rhenish liberalism. This brand of liberalism founded her self-image, especially in distinction from the Prussian nobility, not least the rise of industry. Mevissen expressed in 1840: "The industry is for independent power strengthened [ ... thanks to ] this new social power." In Germany it would have to go " up a new era politically undeniable ". "For where the industry is strong as power, there is also a political force and freedom. "

1844 Mevissen was a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Cologne; 1856 to 1860 he was its president. Mevissens economic policy statements do not always corresponded to the demand expressed by the majority of the Chamber of Commerce by free trade, but rather the thought of Friedrich List. Although he was the founding of the German Customs Union towards positive, but advocated a greater extent protective tariffs and government intervention. He also called for a stronger social policies. While the triggered not least by building excess capacity founder crisis in the second half of the 1870s Mevissen demanded an active economic policy of the state as public investment.

The push for liberalization of the political system went there accompanied by the fear of a revolution of the lower classes. In 1845 Mevissen wrote: " [ ... ] that the number of proletarians is increasing in all countries of the presence in a most alarming progression. The impending wave of avenging future [ rolls ] closer and closer to the living generation " For Mevissen went the actual social danger is not from the still few industrial workers, but from the danger of pauperism rural lower classes. He concluded that the society also calls for this reason, a profound reform. A growing industry, also sponsored by state economic policy can create long-term prosperity in the fight against poverty. To implement its socio-political position, he participated in 1844/45 actively in the work of the Central Association for the welfare of the working classes. To enforce economic and social policy reforms for Mevissen a Prussian constitution was a necessary prerequisite. Also, why was this question for Mevissen in the 1840s, the center of political activity.

While other Rhenish liberals wanted to fend off the pressure of the lower classes, among others, by a census suffrage to Mevissen argued for equal political rights. " Only when the progressive need for equality of all finds appropriate gratification in the state and social forms, is a peaceful development of today's society [ ... ] possible." Hans -Ulrich Wehler referred Mevissen as exponents of an enlightened social liberalism, with its demands in this respect went further than other representatives of the Rhenish liberalism. Since the 1840s Mevissen was a member and founder of several social and charitable associations. For the employees of his company he set up for widows, orphans, disability and health insurance, and built hospitals. 1879 Mevissen also became a financial supporter of the historian Karl Lamprecht. With him and other citizens in 1881 he founded the Society of Rhenish history lesson. On his initiative, the establishment of the Municipal Graduate School of Cologne in 1901, goes back, for which he promoted through the establishment of a foundation with other citizens since 1879 for financial support. Its nearly 15,000 books extensive library he bequeathed after his death, the city of Cologne. Today, these books are in the University and City Library of Cologne.

Political action in the pre-March

In practical political activity Mevissen began since the mid-1840s to emerge stronger. So it was in 1845 involved in the preparation of two petitions in favor of a general popular representation, freedom of the press, the demand for public meetings of the Provincial Parliament as well as for the emancipation of the Jewish population. He went over the order of the confidentiality of the proceedings of the county day by working on the compilation and illegal dissemination of the results of the negotiations of the country Tagses of 1845. Mevissen wrote about the success of writing to his brother, " My last publication the state legislature concerning is read avidly and almost devoured. "

In 1846 he became a member of the Rhenish Provincial Parliament. His oppositional attitude meant that the government in 1847 refused him permission to an office as a municipal councilor. In the same year Mevissen was for the constituency Gladbach, which included his hometown Dülken, was elected a member of the Prussian United Diet. Although the Prussian authorities had first tried again to refuse his confirmation, he could take up his mandate. The United Diet was necessary after the sovereign debt Act of 1820 so that the Prussian state was able to give a bond for the construction of the Prussian Eastern Railway, a railway from Berlin to Königsberg. Although the Prussian king had constituted only a national assembly by the organization of the United Diet instead of the hoped freely elected parliament, the convocation of the Parliament of the liberal and democratic politicians from all over Germany was eagerly awaited. In the United Landtag and the Rhenish liberals were then demanded to Mevissen and Hansemannplatz to the spokesmen, personal liberties, freedom of the press and independence of judges. Mevissen contributed significantly to the fact that the Rhenish liberals and the most aristocratic liberals found a common line from the eastern provinces. While most liberal deputies only protest from the eastern provinces and refuse the meeting, the Rhineland was willing to negotiate within the framework of the United Diet to achieve political results. This line continued largely through, even at the price of rejecting the bond, of the just would have benefited economically, the two liberal camp. Mevissen wrote to his wife about the objectives: " A powerful, noble and inviolable crown, responsible ministers, a free mitra Tendes and mittatendes people."

As in the county councils the proceedings of the States- were not public. In some conspiratorial manner Mevissen made ​​sure that the press and especially the Cologne newspaper was provided with reports on the debates. During the meetings, the Rhenish liberals played an important role. A deputy wrote about Johann Jacoby: " The Rhinelander however show a lot of parliamentary talent, and the speaker among them, namely Beckerath, Hansemannplatz and Mevissen likely to provide the best orators of England and France to the side, at least what the conception and execution of their task concerns. "Together with Rudolf von Auerswald and Georg von Vincke Mevissen worked out a position paper, the key message was that the United Diet due to previous laws have a right to regular drafts. After all, 138 MPs signed this declaration. Campenhausen refused to that because he put in the way of petition to the king. In the course of negotiations Mevissen then came on the defensive. " The last few days here have been without hot fight, and in particular have a small pile of faithful, with 31 to 418, found myself yesterday on the breach. " Through his work in the United Landtag Mevissen had the reputation as a leading figure liberal camp made ​​in Germany. Therefore, he was invited by Hansemannplatz to Heppenheim meeting, but met by accident one day late one.

Political action at the beginning of the Revolution of 1848/49

The news of unrest during the first days of the March Revolution have Mevissen greatly troubled. In Cologne, the leading liberals were surprised by events. On 3 March 1848, there was a demonstration in front of the Cologne City Hall, while demands for political reforms in the democratic sense were loud. Mevissen made ​​it " traces of a communistic movement ( from which ) shown very threatening and undisguised " would. Yet this is not dangerous, but it could this be, if not rapidly, the path of reforms would be taken. Although Mevissen and other Members expressed their disgust about the riots, but also demanded the immediate reconvening of the States- in order to complete the constitution works. Also for Heidelberg meeting Mevissen had been invited, but this is not from fear of further unrest followed. Instead, he invited the Rhenish deputies for deliberation able to Bonn. Although the local consultations showed significant differences between on the one hand Hansemannplatz and Mevissen who wanted to pursue a more decisive way, and on the other hand Campenhausen. But the enforced from this decision had no practical effect because the Siebenerausschuss had already created with the convening of the Pre-Parliament new facts and the revolution had made on the streets of Vienna and Berlin him obsolete. The leading Rhenish liberals left for Berlin. Especially Mevissen and Beckerath went all out to the recently appointed Prime Minister, Adolf Heinrich von Arnim - Boitzenburg to move to withdraw and establish a liberal ministry. Just a day after his arrival Mevissen wrote to his wife: "After six hours of serious birth a ministry Campenhausen has just come to life. " It was largely thanks to Mevissen that even the more radical liberals this course mittrugen first. In the constitution phase of the new government burst the news of the collapse of the Schaaf Hausener Bank. Mevissen feared a threat to the financial standing of the entire state and urged Finance Minister Hansemannplatz and Campenhausen with success to government intervention. Apart from support for the bank, of which he was following as state commissioner, put Mevissen through direct support to affected by the economic crisis, companies.

During the second session of the States- in 1848 Mevissen campaigned against the census suffrage. He was of the opinion that the "agitation in the country [ ... ] would only stop when the universal suffrage is given without restriction. " This position sat largely both in the choice of the Prussian as well as at the German National Assembly.

Work in the Frankfurt National Assembly

Mevissen itself has also sought a mandate for the Frankfurt National Assembly. In the Rhineland, this attempt failed, however. This reservation of strictly Catholic side apparently played a role. With the help of the resident in Siegen industrialist Gustav Mallinckrodt, however, he managed a victory " with a glossy majority " in the electoral district of Siegen - Olpe- Wittgenstein. Benefited him here is that the interests of the Siegerländer iron manufacturers were consistent with those of Mevissen. After his election, he promised to act in their favor. He also announced " participate by forces in the great work of regeneration of a few and powerful Germany that the nation inside free development of all material and spiritual forces, outward vouch for a dignified independence. "

From May 18 1848 to May 21, 1849 Mevissen was a member of the Frankfurt National Assembly. He was co-founder of the liberal Casino Group. The decision formulated by Johann Gustav Droysen Mevissen was listed next to Henry of Gagern among those who are familiar with the preparation, management, vocation, etc.. Mevissen support the creation of a provisional central government and the election of the Regent Archduke Johann of Austria. Through these decisions, he hoped to drive the Republicans on the defensive. After the end of the reign Campenhausen Mevissen tried this ultimately in vain to win for a responsible position in the central government. However, he turned himself in to the new government. From 9th August to September 5, 1848 Mevissen was the Under Secretary of the Reich Ministry of Commerce of the provisional central power. Mevissen soon realized that his influence, but also the entire government were very limited. He gave up the post as head of the Schaaffhausen Bank Corporation he was offered. After the dismissal of the Cabinet Auerswald Hansemannplatz to Mevissen tried in vain during a trip to Berlin to the creation of another Liberal cabinet for Prussia.

In the National Assembly he was a member of both the National Accounts Committee and the Commission to prepare for the reception of the Regent. He also participated in the constitutional deliberations. The economic committee, he submitted a memorandum to the centralization of the German banking system. His focus, however, had shifted to the management of the bank association. Probably also why he made ​​no requests in the National Assembly and also did not occur as a speaker in the plenary.

In December 1848 he welcomed as many moderate liberals, the coup d'etat of the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm IV, who dissolved the Prussian National Assembly and a constitution had imposed. A main reason for this was the concern that the political revolution could turn into a social one. Mevissen welcomed the " bold move of the king, " because he thought the time had come, " where all the men of political influence [ on the ] newly created legal ground [ ... ] must fight the hereindrängende anarchy. "

In the question of the future head of state Mevissen voted for a hereditary imperial title and the election of Frederick William IV Accordingly, he also voted on 28 March 1849 in the National Assembly. After the failure of the imperial deputation Mevissen saw the political future bleak as he wrote on 28 April 1849. "The political outlook is cloudier and cloudier, and if things go on like this, as in the past eight days, we are suddenly in the deepest reaction with a view to a non- long lack of new revolution. " After the commencement of the constitution campaign saw Mevissen politics the National Assembly finally as a failure. "Our task, the peaceful reform, if not solved, yet ended. We can give nothing but passive spectators in the further course. "Along with 64 other members of the Casino Group Mevissen occurred on 21 May 1849 the National Assembly.

Policy after the revolution

In 1849 Mevissen took part in the meeting of the Gotha Erbkaiserlichen and entered it in vain for a criticism of the governments that had rejected the Paulskirchenverfassung. Again for the circles Olpe, victories and Wittgenstein was Mevissen 1850 the Erfurt Union Parliament to. From 1866 he worked as representatives of Cologne member of the Prussian House of Lords. In the mansion, he belonged to the old liberal direction. Political influence kept Mevissen beyond as a member of the Prussian State Council, the National Economic Council and an advisor to William I.. Overall, however, Mevissen had largely withdrawn after the failure of the revolution of 1848/ 49 from active politics. Instead, he turned again reinforced his business to. " As things [ considering ] the total impotence [ ... ] in the political questions [ are ], I believe that the material interests are the only place from where a better future may be designed. "

Nevertheless, he remained true to his liberal convictions and expressed accordingly. After the founding of the German Empire, he criticized about the " almighty " position of Otto von Bismarck.

Founder phase after the revolution

In the economic boom of the Rhineland and the adjacent mining areas in the context of the industrial revolution in Germany Mevissen belonged to the arrivierten investors, often the legal form of the corporation taking advantage of the growth of the Rhenish-Westphalian region in the fields pushed forward transport, trade and heavy industry. Many of the projects operational Mevissen jointly with other investors from Cologne, in particular with the banker Oppenheim family. In October 1849 Mevissen was among the founders of the Cologne mine association and in the same year a member of the Supervisory Board of the Partnership for mining and metallurgical company. In 1852 he participated in the founding of the Hörder mining and metallurgical association and a flax mill in Düren. The following year he co-founded a number of heavy industrial operations. These include the Eschweiler mining club, the Alsdorf Hoengener coal mining company and the Massener company for coal mining, as well as a mechanical flax mill in Dülken and the Cologne cotton spinning and weaving. 1855 following the establishment of the Cologne Maschinenbau AG. A year later he became Chairman of the Board of he co-founded Cologne Müsener mine association.

Influenced by his experience with the Schaaffhausen Bank Corporation was Mevissen addition to its industrial enterprises one of the major pioneers in the field of financial services. 1853 expanded Mevissen in the emerging field of insurance. He founded the Cologne Reinsurance Company (now General Reinsurance AG) and two united Founded in 1851 Insurance 1853 Concordia insurance with a share capital of 10 million thalers. In the same year he created together with Abraham Oppenheim because of the favorable legal situation in Hesse and not in Prussia the Darmstadt Bank for Trade and Industry with a share capital of 15 million thalers. A founding in Frankfurt was thwarted by the opposition of the Rothschilds, who saw a dangerous competition in the modern joint-stock bank. This fear was not without reason, but also Mevissen saw it as a goal "to create a corporate balance against the autocracy of the Rothschild Money Power. " One Darmstadt Bank marked the true prototype of the German joint-stock banks. In 1855 he founded the Cologne-based private bank, and the bank in Munich in southern Germany and in 1856 again with Oppenheim International Bank of Luxembourg, first as an international central bank, but soon turned into a Loan. 1871 finally followed nor the involvement in the foundation of the Süddeutsche Bodenkreditbank and the Mainz Süddeutsche real estate bank.

In recognition of his experience and achievements as a textile entrepreneur Mevissen belonged to since the 1850s, the international jury for the linen industry in the world exhibitions. On September 4, 1884, he was raised in Berlin with diploma on 23 September 1884 in Brühl Castle in the Prussian nobility. This was associated with a hereditary seat in the House. He also received the title of Privy Kommerzienrat as well as in the years 1885 and 1895 honorary doctorates from the University of Bonn. The Freedom of the City of Cologne was Gustav von Mevissen awarded on 25 April 1895. On December 23, 1897, the City of Cologne named the road that runs from Riehler place to the Rhine, after Mevissen. Similarly, a location on Siegen greed mountain road is named after him since March 26, 1929.

Gustav von Mevissen was buried at the Cologne Melaten Cemetery.

Works

• About flat hand spinning on the left bank of the district of Dusseldorf. After 1830
• Holland as a trading intermediary Rhenish products. 1839