German People's Party (1868)

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This article is about the German People's Party which existed between 1868 and 1910. For the party with same name, which existed between 1918 and 1933, see German People's Party.

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The German People's Party (Deutsche Volkspartei or DtVP) was a German liberal party created in 1868 by the wing of the German Progress Party which during the conflict about whether the Unification of Germany should be led by the Kingdom of Prussia or Austria-Hungary supported Austria.

The party enjoyed support particularly in Southern Germany. After the establishment of the German Empire in 1871 under Prussia, the solution which excluded Austria, it advocated federalist structures and demanded democratic reforms, in particular strengthening of the position of the parliament, which had no say in the formation of the government and no influence on government policies. The government was appointed and dismissed by the emperor alone.

In contrast to the National Liberal Party, it stood in opposition against the policy of Otto von Bismarck from the establishment of the German Empire. The party put the classical liberal notion of liberty above the prospect of a German unification led "from above".

In 1910 the party merged with the Freeminded People's Party and the Freeminded Union to form the Progressive People's Party.

A notable member of both the German People's Party, the Progressive People's Party, and its successor the German Democratic Party was Ludwig Quidde, the Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1927.