Page "Mecklenburg" Paragraph 13

In 1815, the two Mecklenburgian duchies were raised to Grand Duchies, and subsequently existed separately as such in Germany under enlightened but absolute rule ( constitutions being granted on the eve of World War I ) until the revolution of 1918.

Life in Mecklenburg could be quite harsh.

Practices such as having to ask for permission from the Grand Duke to get married, or having to apply for permission to emigrate, would linger late into the history of Mecklenburg ( i. e. 1918 ), long after such practices had been abandoned in other German areas.

Even as late as the later half of the 19th century the Grand Duke personally owned half of the countryside.

The last Duke abdicated in 1918, as monarchies fell throughout Europe.

The Duke's ruling house reigned in Mecklenburg uninterrupted ( except for two years ) from its incorporation into the Holy Roman Empire until 1918.

From 1918 to 1933, the duchies were free states in the Weimar Republic.