Hi Bob: To add to Helmut's comments, after Langensalza Prussia treated Hannover especially harshly, in part because of her earlier refusal to join the Zollverein and then because of Langensalza. It started the great waves of emigration that went from hundreds to thousands to millions up until about 1890. No on wanted to go into the Prussian army. Bismarck forced King Georg and Queen Marie into exile and stole the entire Welf fortune (up to then the Welf had been the oldest and wealthiest royal family in all of Europe). Prussia enforced its draft of all young men from age 14 up and, whereas soldiers from the other states were paid quarterly, she withheld pay from the men from Hannover until they had completed their entire 3 years service. Approx, 800 of the disbanded army fled to King Georg in exile to form the "Sabelregiment" - altho Georg said no more fighting, Prussia put a death sentence on their heads and none could return to Hannover. Therefore, whole families emigrated as soon as they were able even tho Prussia put every conceivable obstacle in their way. There were many agents in the great ports of Bremen and Hamburg who helped these people get thru all the paperwork and red tape.
Hannover had never liked or trusted Prussia because of her militarism in the first place but now there arose a strong independence movement for Hannover that actually lasted until 1932 when Hitler squelched it. I know because my gr-grandfather was a part of it and my grandmother often told me of their plotting and planning that she overheard as a girl. Sadly, all to no avail.
Hope this helps clarify. (Read my books!!!) Jane
Jane Swan
jeswansong@earthlink.net
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