The Society of the Friends of Peasants
Encyclopedia
The Society of the Friends of Peasants (Danish: Bondevennernes Selskab)
was a liberal
Danish
political society founded on 5 May 1846 by members of the provincial consultative assemblies Johan Christian Drewsen and Balthasar Christensen with the intent to promote the liberation of the peasantry and equality among the different classes of society. Among its most politically influential members were Anton Frederik Tscherning, Jens Andersen Hansen and Carl Christian Alberti.
The society gained significant influence in the elections for the constitutional assembly in 1848, as the peasants were the only reasonably organized section of the population. Because of this, the society may be described as the first political party in Denmark. In alliance with the National Liberals
they introduced general conscription for all men—as opposed to the previous conscription for peasants only—and a bicameral system consisting of the Folketing
and the Landsting
that enfranchised all landowning men above the age of 30 in the Constitution of 1849
. Bondevennerne were the strongest advocates of giving suffrage to all landowning men, and they would have preferred a unicameral system. However, the conservatives and in part the National Liberals insisted on a bicameral system with suffrage to the Landsting restricted on income and with some of the members appointed by the king. It is to a large degree thanks to Bondevennerne that the 1849 constitution became as democratic as was the case.
In 1848, the society was via War Minister Tscherning represented in the first Danish government after the absolute monarchy
, the Cabinet of Moltke I
, a coalition government that spanned the political spectrum.
The number of members peaked in the middle of the 1850s at approximately 10,000, but due to internal conflicts and splits the influence of the society gradually dropped.
The society was represented in government for the second and last time in the Cabinet of Rotwitt 1859-1860.
Although never formally dissolved, the society became part of the liberal party Det Forenede Venstre in 1872.
was a liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
political society founded on 5 May 1846 by members of the provincial consultative assemblies Johan Christian Drewsen and Balthasar Christensen with the intent to promote the liberation of the peasantry and equality among the different classes of society. Among its most politically influential members were Anton Frederik Tscherning, Jens Andersen Hansen and Carl Christian Alberti.
The society gained significant influence in the elections for the constitutional assembly in 1848, as the peasants were the only reasonably organized section of the population. Because of this, the society may be described as the first political party in Denmark. In alliance with the National Liberals
National Liberal Party (Denmark)
The National Liberal Party , was a Danish political party or political movement from the 1830s until about 1880.Often considered "the first Danish political party" the National Liberals were gradually founded as the opposition against the Danish absolute monarchy...
they introduced general conscription for all men—as opposed to the previous conscription for peasants only—and a bicameral system consisting of the Folketing
Folketing
The Folketing , is the national parliament of Denmark. The name literally means "People's thing"—that is, the people's governing assembly. It is located in Christiansborg Palace, on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen....
and the Landsting
Landsting (Denmark)
The Landsting was a house of the Rigsdag in Denmark from 1849 until 1953, when the bicameral system was abolished. The house had powers equal to the Folketing, which made the two houses of parliament hard to distinguish....
that enfranchised all landowning men above the age of 30 in the Constitution of 1849
Constitution of Denmark
The Constitutional Act of Denmark is the Kingdom of Denmark's constitution, or fundamental law. Originally verified in 1849, the last revision was signed on 5 June 1953 as "the existing law, for all to unswerving comply with, the Constitutional Act of Denmark".-Idea and structure:The main...
. Bondevennerne were the strongest advocates of giving suffrage to all landowning men, and they would have preferred a unicameral system. However, the conservatives and in part the National Liberals insisted on a bicameral system with suffrage to the Landsting restricted on income and with some of the members appointed by the king. It is to a large degree thanks to Bondevennerne that the 1849 constitution became as democratic as was the case.
In 1848, the society was via War Minister Tscherning represented in the first Danish government after the absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...
, the Cabinet of Moltke I
Cabinet of Moltke I
The Cabinet of Moltke I was the government of Denmark from 22 March 1848 to 15 November 1848. It was also referred to as the March Cabinet....
, a coalition government that spanned the political spectrum.
The number of members peaked in the middle of the 1850s at approximately 10,000, but due to internal conflicts and splits the influence of the society gradually dropped.
The society was represented in government for the second and last time in the Cabinet of Rotwitt 1859-1860.
Although never formally dissolved, the society became part of the liberal party Det Forenede Venstre in 1872.