Wartburg Demonstration

a meeting of representatives from German universities held at the Wartburg Castle (near the city of Eisenach), called by the students of Jena University on Oct. 18, 1817. It was held in connection with the tercentenary of the Reformation as well as the anniversary of the Battle of Leipzig of 1813.

The participants in the Wartburg Demonstration were more than 500 students and many liberal teachers, all of whom ardently supported the idea of German national unity. Under the conditions of the reaction that had established itself in Germany the Wartburg Demonstration had great progressive significance. After it was over the authorities intensified their persecution of democratic elements.