State capital: Dresden Population: 4.6 million Area: 18,337 sq km
The Duchy of Saxony was formed by the descendants of Charlemange in the ninth century. The German King Henry the Fowler added many lands to the duchy during his reign, but Frederick I dissolved it due to the rebelliousness of its duke, Henry the Lion.
Saxony aided Charles V against the Schmalkadic League, earning its ruler the title of elector.Dresden became the capital.
Napoleon's victories forced Saxony to join the Confederation of the Rhine. The Congress of Vienna in 1815, however, split it in half, giving half to Prussia. By 1871, it was a constituent kingdom of the German Empire of Otto von Bismarck.
Two days before Germany's surrender in World War I, there was an uprising in Saxony which overthrew the Saxon king, and the rebels declared a republic. However, after Germany's defeat in World War II, Saxony became part of East Germany. In 1990, East Germany was dissolved, and Saxony became a state of the Federal Republic of Germany.
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Two days before Germany's surrender in World War I, there was an uprising in Saxony which overthrew the Saxon king, and the rebels declared a republic. However, after Germany's defeat in World War II, Saxony became part of East Germany. 