La France et la Tierce Allemagne à l’exemple de la Saxe entre 1814 et 1886

This work focuses on the relations between France and the Third Germany using the example of Saxony between 1814/1815 and 1866. It aims to re-evaluate the role of the small German states, which have long been neglected by French and German historiography.

These German states, such as Saxony, Bavaria, or Hesse, attempted to play an independent role between Prussia and Austria as a Third Germany (or Trias). This political ambition aligned with the interests of France, which had endeavored since the time of Richelieu to avoid any German political and economic union.

However, the idea of the Trias did not go beyond the stage of a political concept because these small and medium-sized states never reached a common position and France never provided the necessary support for this project.

Olivier Podevins, born in 1969, studied history and political science in Lille, Frankfurt am Main, and Strasbourg.

This doctoral thesis was completed at the Technical University of Dresden within the Chair of French and Francophone Studies.