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95-582: The Burschenschaft, plural Burschenschaften, is a student association or Studentenverbindungen founded in Germany in 1815. Unlike other Studentenverbindungen , they are non-dueling and do not wear couleur . In Chile, Burschenschaften began in 1866 with the foundation of the Burschenschaft Araucania in Santiago . The German professor Max Westenhofer describes in his memoirs the student associations of

190-415: A Studentenverbindung . Studentenverbindungen consist of active members who are students currently enrolled at a university, and the graduated Alte Herren, Altherren or Philister (Elder Gentlemen or alumni) / Hohe Damen (High Ladies) that were once active in these corporations and now provide guidance and the necessary financial backing. The active students are commonly divided into four groups:

285-449: A Kneipe or, more formally, Commers , a kind of gathering only still preserved at Studentenverbindungen . Such events can happen regularly but specially during holidays, for example to celebrate Christmas, to commemorate a deceased Verbindungs-brother ( Trauerkneipe ), or in remembrance of historic events or important dates in the fraternity's history e.g. the founding day of the fraternity ( Stiftungstagskneipe ). During these gatherings,

380-518: A dormitory and common rooms for festivities, most notably the Kneipe ( pub ), celebrations on a regular basis involving student songs and other traditions. One of the many benefits of joining a fraternity in Germany is the especially low pricing of the often high-quality rooms. Because Studentenverbindungen are much less prevalent in campus life in comparison to US fraternities, some actively try to recruit new members through these low-priced rooms. After

475-478: A sport . It is a traditional way of training and educating character and personality; thus, in a Mensur bout, there is neither winner nor loser. In contrast to sports fencing, the participants stand their ground at a fixed distance. At the beginning of the tradition, duelers wore only their normal clothing (as duels sometimes would arise spontaneously) or light-cloth armor on the arm, torso, and throat. In recent years, fencers are protected by mail or padding for

570-447: A ceremonial chant. While such rituals are only performed on the most solemn of occasions and thus very rare, a Kneipe commonly involves the lighter sides of life, such as rampant beer consumption and uninhibited singing of traditional student songs , of which some can be bawdy for the standards of time. Thus, this allows to get to know otherwise daunting members on a personal level due to the relaxed atmosphere at these gatherings. When

665-431: A certain annual sum to help sustain the fraternity fiscally, to actively participate in democratic decisions concerning only Alte Herren , and to pay regular visits to the fraternity's festivities. A notable characteristic of this structure is that the relationship between active members and Alte Herren is usually so close that even the youngest members are asked to address even their most decorated Alte Herren by Du ,

760-525: A certain period, the Fuchsenzeit , these new members have the opportunity to learn the traditions. After successful completion of all necessary tests and examinations they are usually accepted as full members. Once finished with higher education and having started a career, the inactive Burschen are asked to resign from the fraternity's core members and become Alte Herren or Philister . This involves losing influence in active fraternity life and in voting in

855-586: A curved blade and a hilt similar to the Korbschläger . During the first half of the 19th century and some of the 18th century, students believed the character of a person could easily be judged by watching him fight with sharp blades under strict regulations. Academic fencing was more and more seen as a kind of personality training by showing countenance and fairness even in dangerous situations. Student corporations demanded their members fight at least one duel with sharp blades during their university time. The problem

950-443: A dorm assigned by their native state and soon started taking up formal signs, often colorful clothing, to display their membership in a Burse . This continues in the colored sashes worn by modern Studentenverbindungen . When the first duels were fought is not known exactly, because students were allowed to carry épées or sabers to be able to protect themselves and to deal with confrontations between rival groups ( Raufduell ). In

1045-536: A historical symbol for German unity. These colors were first worn by the Urburschenschaft in 1815. There are also color-carrying or -bearing ("farbenführend") Verbindungen: while their members do not wear a sash their colors are often represented in their uniforms and other Couleur, like flags. Another visual hallmark is the Zirkel , a monogram containing the fraternity's initials and the letters v , c , and f for

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1140-423: A hit is called a "smite" ( German : Schmiss ), and was seen as a badge of honour, especially in the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th. Nowadays the presence of scars usually indicates a mistake and therefore are no longer considered especially dignified. Today, it is not easy for an outsider to identify Mensur scars due to better medical treatment. Also, the number of mandatory Mensuren

1235-501: A minor extent, in Belgium , Lithuania , and Poland . It is a traditional, strictly regulated épée fight between two male members of different fraternities with sharp weapons. The German technical term Mensur (from Latin meaning 'dimension') in the 16th century referred to the specified distance between each of the fencers. Modern academic fencing, the Mensur , is neither a duel nor

1330-448: A possibility to continue their traditions, they began rebuilding a similar form of community under the then-common and insuspicious French word " Corps ". Symbols, oaths, regulations and rituals were continued from Studentenorden tradition (although the secrecy was omitted for longevity's sake), and the Latin names, status designations and affiliation with a country of origin were copied from

1425-571: A sign of beauty and manliness by German characters in Katherine Anne Porter 's novel Ship of Fools . Mensur scars are mentioned in passing in Robert Heinlein 's Starship Troopers when two German recruits are asked at the beginning of boot camp where they got their scars. The drill sergeant even uses the term Corpsbruder (as spelled in modern German). E. C. Gordon, the hero of Heinlein's Glory Road , mentions his desire for

1520-521: A state-recognized university and are of German descent and are fluent in German. On October 30, 1976, those guidelines were changed to make the German ancestry optional and to add a requirment ot pass German examination prepared by the Goethe-Institut . The five German-Chilean student associations that makeup Bund Chilenischer Burschenschaften are as follows. This article contains material translated from

1615-545: A strict antisemitic policy and was formed in 1881 as a decidedly political group. As a reaction, the first Jewish fraternities were established in the 1880s, prevailing until the National Socialist regime. Theodor Herzl , the founder of zionism and a former Burschenschaft student, was soon made an honorary member in many of these fraternities. Furthermore, Jewish fraternities were heavily focused on emancipating themselves through duel and Mensur . Finally, around

1710-435: A thin sash displaying (usually) three distinctive colors is worn in everyday life; this is called Band . Although this display was common in the past ( Wilhelmine Period ) it is not as common at German universities any more. Color-wearing ("farbentragend") Studentenverbindungen are those whose members wear a Band and headwear with their fraternity's colors. Many Burschenschaften wear the color combination Black-Red-Gold as

1805-458: A thousand in Germany, with a total of over 190,000 members. In them, students spend their university years in an organized community, whose members stay connected even after graduation. A goal of this lifelong bond ( Lebensbund ) is to create contacts and friendships over many generations and to facilitate networking. The Lebensbund is very important for the longevity of these networks. Their autonomous and grassroots democratic Convent

1900-537: A valuable school for the future. This allowed Alte Herren to identify with the active members of their fraternities, and the idea of a lifelong commitment arose ( Lebensbundprinzip ). Soon, the first Stiftungsfeste , annual festivities in celebration of the fraternity's founding, were celebrated, further cementing their standing. As increased liberty allowed it, a more regulated form of duel was conceived: The modern Mensur , which strived to reduce lethality rates while still being able to fence. The former objective, though,

1995-953: Is also an important similarity of all student corporations. Apart from the Lebensbund and the Convent , every Studentenverbindung also has a so-called Comment (borrowed French for 'how'). The Comment is a body of rules that organize various different aspects of fraternity life such as the Couleur , academic fencing ( Mensur ), and general rules of conduct. Fraternities of this particular type are present in Germany , Austria , Switzerland , Belgium , Hungary , Latvia , Estonia , (formerly) German or German-speaking areas and other smaller communities in Europe, and Chile . Less than 1% of all current students and living alumni in Germany are active members of

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2090-456: Is the 19th-century record holder, due to his estimated 100 mensur bouts fought in Göttingen , Jena , and Würzburg between 1860 and 1866. In the 20th and 21st century it was Alexander Kliesch (Landsmannschaft Brandenburg Berlin) with 70. For duels with nonstudents, e.g., military officers, the "academic sabre" became usual, apparently derived from the military sabre . It was a heavy weapon with

2185-577: Is the most central principle to some Verbindungen , especially of the Corps , Burschenschaften and Landsmannschaften , these organizations require their members to fence as their representative. Other Verbindungen allow their members to fence voluntarily, but the majority of these now forbid their members to fence. In particular, Christian fraternities decline the Mensur from general ethical perspectives, with Catholic fraternities even being formally restricted on

2280-647: Is to promote German customs and language. Burschenschaft Montania served as the executive fraternity. Burschenschaft Ripuaria and Burschenschaft Vulkania joined the Bund Chilenischer Burschenschaften on October 15, 1966. These five Chilean Burschenschaften continue as members of Bund Chilenischer Burschenschaften. The leadership and headquarters of BCB rotates between its member organizations on an annual basis. The founding documents of Bund Chilenischer Burschenschaften specify that its member fraternities must consist of individuals who are students at

2375-534: The Burschenschaft , which was first founded in 1815. Sparked by the nationalist sentiment after the Napoleonic Wars , the members of the latter perceived the traditional forms of fraternities, who were still heavily affiliated with their state of origin, to be reactionary and elitist . Thus, they organized themselves into what was pictured as a single fraternity spanning all states of German language, allowing

2470-514: The Delegates’ Convention of Chilean Fraternities (DCCF) created in March 1960, needed improvement. The Bund Chilenischer Burschenschaften (English: Association of Chilean Fraternities) was founded on May 30, 1966, at a meeting of DCCF, by Burschenschaft Araucania , Burschenschaft Montania, and Burschenschaft Andinia . Its is a confederation of German-Chilean student associations that strives

2565-618: The Drittchargierter is in charge of mail correspondence, finance and diplomacy. Another Function often referred to as a Charge (Chargierter) is the so-called Fuchsmajor (FM). He is in charge of the Füchse and teaches them everything they need to know in fraternity life, except for fencing. Studentenverbindungen, specially older ones, often possess large mansions, the Verbindungshaus , in which active members live. It usually consists of

2660-558: The Hambach festival in 1832, where the German colors flew as a flag for the first time, and the Frankfurter Wachensturm in 1833, a failed attempt to take a large city's treasury to fund a revolution. Tensions started to build, with short lived, illegal fraternities forming, being dissolved and reforming at all universities, peaking in the German revolution of 1848 in which many members of Studentenverbindungen took part. Although

2755-634: The Kulturkampf . In 1848, a Germany-wide association of Corps was founded in Bad Kösen , the so-called Kösener Senioren-Convents-Verband , KSCV, (roughly, "the Kösen association of the committees of the first men in charge"). It consisted solely of the old Corps present at traditional liberal arts colleges and excluded those at technical colleges. In reaction, the Weinheimer Senioren Convent , WSC,

2850-402: The Mensur strives to educate physical and mental strength by exposing the combatants to a rare and extreme situation. In modern times, opinions differ, although the principle stays the same: whereas one would formerly engage in a Mensur to be hit, many fencing students of today will rather engage in combat in order to prove their competence by not being wounded, instead focusing on reinforcing

2945-491: The Senior (signing his name with an x at the end e.g. Mustermann Z! x ), Consenior (xx) and the Drittchargierter , or often also called Scriptor (xxx). The Senior's task is mainly to represent the fraternity to the outside and to lead it. The Consenior assists the Senior but mainly focuses on imparting the fencing practice, the organization of fraternity events and the constant contact to fellow female students. Whilst

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3040-620: The Spanish Misplaced Pages . Studentenverbindung Studentenverbindung or studentische Korporation ( German: [ʃtuˈdɛntn̩.fɛɐ̯ˌbɪndʊŋ] ; often referred to as Verbindung ) is the umbrella term for many different kinds of fraternity -type associations in German-speaking countries , including Corps , Burschenschaften , Landsmannschaften , Turnerschaften , and Catholic fraternities . Worldwide, there are over 1,600 Studentenverbindungen , about

3135-531: The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648), when a major part of the German population was killed. Public life was brutal and students killing each other in the street was not uncommon. A major step towards civilization was the introduction of the "regulated" duel , of which the first recordings exist from the 17th century. The fight was not decided on the spot, but the time and location were appointed and negotiations were done by officials. A so-called Kartellträger did

3230-422: The occupation forces and universities, they slowly gained a foothold in society again (see Corps Suevia ). Special influences on this include several court decisions, amongst which are the decision that the Mensur does not violate moral code in 1951, that public display of fraternity colors can not be punished by expulsion from the university (1958, so called "Freiburg color dispute") and the forced acceptance of

3325-629: The oecumenical Wingolf (with Wingolf Bonn being the first in 1841). When the Catholic religion was beginning to be repressed during the Kulturkampf , a large number of fraternities of Catholic belief were formed as a reaction. The first organization of decidedly Catholic origin was the Schweizerische Studentenverein ("Swiss students' union") in 1841. These catholic fraternities understood themselves as an important network to counteract

3420-527: The "German Mensur " in detail. While much of the book has a tone of admiration for the German people, he expressed extreme disapproval for this tradition. In George MacDonald Fraser 's Royal Flash (1970), the protagonist Harry Flashman is scarred with a Schläger as part of his disguise as a Danish prince. Mensur is featured in Heinrich Mann 's novel Man of Straw ( Der Untertan ). Mensur scars are repeatedly noted and described as

3515-548: The 17th century organizations) were reorganized. Each with their namesake as their central principle and idea of character building. Landsmannschaft Sorabia-Westfalen Münster is the oldest Studentenverbindung of modern constitution. It was founded in 1716 in the City of Leipzig. A notable exception from these self-centered principles is the VVDSt ( Verband der Vereine Deutscher Studenten , "union of associations of German students"), which had

3610-404: The 17th century, the respective sovereigns gained increasing control over "their" Burse , and the first fraternities were formally formed, calling themselves Landsmannschaften , giving themselves Latin names according to their country of origin ( Borussia for Prussia , Guestphalia for Westphalia , etc.) and introducing Fuchs and Bursche as status designations. Lifelong membership, though,

3705-540: The Forestry College, which is now part of Technische Universität Dresden), Halle on the Saale , Frankfurt-an-der-Oder , and Freiberg . In Jena , both Korbschläger and Glockenschläger are used. Studentenverbindungen from some western cities use Glockenschläger because their tradition had its origin in one of the eastern universities but moved to West Germany after World War II . The scar resulting from

3800-664: The German-speaking areas during the early modern period . In line with developments in the aristocracy and the military, regulated duels were introduced to the academic environment, as well. The basis of this was the conviction that being a student meant being something different from the rest of the population. Students wore special clothes, developed special kinds of festivities, sang student songs, and fought duels, sometimes spontaneously (so-called rencontre , French "meeting" or "combat"), sometimes according to strict regulations called comment (French "how"). The weapons used were

3895-472: The German-speaking states, injuring and killing many. As a result, by the Karlsbad Decrees , any self-regulating student body was forcibly dissolved, severe censorship and punishments were instituted, and government authority was significantly increased. This resulted in secret gatherings and smaller revolutionary acts, many of which are seen as the foundation for a German nation in today's world, such as

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3990-447: The Latin words vivat, crescat, floreat ('live, grow, flourish') or vivat circulus fratrum ('long live the circle of brothers'). In fraternity documents, members sign their names with a Zirkel after their signature. Zirkel have their origin in abbreviations, by student orders of the 18th century, to show their affiliation in written documents. Today, Zirkel are often used on clothing or other personal items. Sometimes,

4085-709: The Nazi secret police. One such example was the SC-Comradeship Hermann Löns initiated by members of the Corps Hubertia Freiburg and other fraternities in Freiburg , Germany. There, fencing Mensur "duels" continued and even intensified from 1941 on, with over 100 of such duels happening during World War II in Freiburg alone. Following the war, most of the formerly suspended fraternities were reactivated and resumed

4180-503: The arrangements and a "second" represented the interests of the fighter during the duel and could even give physical protection from illegal actions. A kind of referee was present to make decisions, and eventually, the practice of having an attending doctor became normal so as to give medical help in case of an injury. At the end of the 18th century (after the French Revolution ), wearing weapons in everyday life fell out of fashion and

4275-406: The basis of placing two equal opponents in front of each other. [...] This experience, and the intertwined need to overcome one's own fear, dedicated to the union of his Corps, and the connected strengthening of the sense of community aids the personal growth just as does taking a hit without losing one's stand and accepting the assessment of the Mensur by the own Corps Brothers." While the Mensur

4370-498: The body, fencing arm, fencing hand ( gauntlet ) and the throat, completed by steel goggles with a nose guard. In Austria and Switzerland, a nose guard is uncommon. Opponents fence at arm's length and stand more or less in one place, while attempting to hit the unprotected areas of their opponent's face and head. Flinching or dodging is not allowed, the goal being less to avoid injury than to endure it stoically. Two physicians are present (one for each opponent) to attend to injuries and stop

4465-492: The bond between members of the fraternity. Some fraternities that do not practice academic fencing have other rituals that are meant to substitute this ritual of group dynamics, such as extreme hiking. "The object and purpose of the Corps was and still is solely the education of students to become a strong, free and cosmopolitan personality who is not held back by religious, racist, national, scientific or philosophical limitations of

4560-590: The break of the century, women were admitted to visit universities, unifying to sororities in 1899. The first such organization was the Club der Namenlosen ("club of the nameless"), that was soon renamed to Verein Studierender Frauen Deutschlands Hilaritas ("association of female students of Germany Hilaritas"). This diversification progressed to the point that the formerly despised students' culture heavily influenced society, especially affecting

4655-512: The conclusion that he had "so large a gab, he would be able to eat it crosswise". This led to all Studentenverbindungen being classified as "reactionary", and most of them either dissolved themselves or were forcibly closed during 1934 to 1938. The former members were then reorganized in Kameradschaften ("comradeships") and forced to omit their principles of democratic vote, lifelong cooperation, honor and tradition. In secrecy, though, many of

4750-598: The core fraternity's democratic process, allowing younger generations to take their place. Major decisions, though, are still made by an annual Convent where every member, student or not, has at least one vote; the Alte Herren Commission (short AHC ) which represent all Alte Herren usually have double votes and veto rights. They also take care of the financial overview and supervising the Verbindungshaus . Furthermore, all Alte Herren are commonly asked to pay

4845-615: The counter-movement had already started in Göttingen in the 1760s. Here the Göttinger Hieber was invented, the predecessor of the modern Korbschläger , a new weapon for cut fencing. In the following years, the Glockenschläger was invented in east German universities for cut fencing as well. Thrust fencing (using Pariser ) and cut fencing (using Korbschläger or Glockenschläger ) existed in parallel in Germany during

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4940-531: The crowd of members and guests present are presided over by the Chargierte (see above), with the Senior conducting the gathering, executing certain rituals, from as simple as welcoming guests, holding speeches to performing the so-called Landesvater ("father of the country"). The latter is a ceremonial where a sabre is pierced through the Couleur -bearing headgear of the participants in a complex ritual, accompanied by

5035-486: The descendants of the Germans who began immigrating to Chile in 1843. A Burschenschaft brings together students and university graduates who preserve the German culture and language, the vast majority of whom are ethnic Germans of Chilean nationality. The idea behind the confederation of German-Chilean fraternities came from Wilhelm Hansen, a member of Burschenschaft Montania who was studying in Germany in 1964, who felt that

5130-482: The dueling as follows: In the German Schläger combat the position is the same as in back-swording , save that the left arm is kept, as in sabre play, behind the body; commonly the waistband of the trousers is grasped by the left hand. The weapon is a long, narrow blade, like a pointless rapier, but much more flexible. It is sharpened for a length of twenty centimetres (say eight inches) on the true edge, and five on

5225-621: The early 1700s, secret organizations known as Studentenorden (student orders) took their place and introduced elaborate rituals, formal oaths of membership, a strict constitutio to regulate internal behavior, and cryptic symbols to identify members. All of these traditions are still known and actively practised in today's fraternities. The Studentenorden , though, were heavily monitored by the then- absolutist government, as many of their traditions were derived from freemason or Illuminati lodges, and were subsequently banned in 1793. As Studentenorden were dissolved and their former members sought

5320-464: The end of World War II. It is also still known in a few other European countries, though there, protective equipment use is extensive and dueling scars are almost unheard of. American traveller Mark Twain devoted several chapters of A Tramp Abroad (1880) to Heidelberg students' fencing. In Three Men on the Bummel (1900), Jerome K. Jerome devoted a chapter to German student life, and describes

5415-601: The event challenging for both participants. That is the way it is still done today and is the concept of the Mensur in the modern sense of the word. Before the Communist revolution in Russia and before World War II , academic fencing was known in most countries of Eastern Europe, as well. By the end of the 19th century, the dueling form evolved into the modern Mensur. In 1884, the British Saturday Review described

5510-424: The false edge. For practice and instruction blunt and rather stouter blades are used. The mask is like an English single-stick mask, but stronger and heavier. A padded leather vest, coming almost down to the knees, covers the body, and the right arm is encased in a sleeve attached to a gauntlet, which may be compared to an elongated Rugby football. In the actual duel, there is an even more elaborate system of defence;

5605-477: The fight if necessary. The participants, or Paukanten , use specially developed swords. The so-called Mensurschläger (or simply Schläger ) exists in two versions. The most common weapon is the Korbschläger with a basket-type guard . Some universities use the so-called Glockenschläger ( lit.   ' bell hitter ' ), which is equipped with a bell-shaped guard. These universities are Leipzig , Berlin , Greifswald , Dresden , Tharandt (in

5700-483: The first World War, which called all of the active students to serve their country, which many welcomed euphorically. Fatalities substantially reduced the number of fraternity students and students in general. When the war was lost and the Kaiser was forced to step down and hand over the power of state to a democratic government, the fraternities' world shook in its foundations. The violence the students had experienced at war,

5795-542: The first decades of the 19th century—with local preferences. Thrust fencing was especially popular in Jena , Erlangen , Würzburg , and Ingolstadt / Landshut , two towns where the predecessors of Munich University were located. The last thrust Mensur is recorded to have taken place in Würzburg in 1860. Until the first half of the 19th century, all types of academic fencing can be seen as duels, since all fencing with sharp weapons

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5890-448: The first universities formed in Paris , Bologna , and Salerno around the 12th century, Europe was divided into a large number of small states, which reflected itself in the composition of the student body. To ensure an equal influence on the university's decisions, the students and teachers began to form nationes , with one nation for each native state of its members. This basic tradition

5985-400: The former customs were still practised, although with the outbreak of World War II, few remained to do so during the war. After the war, the remaining former members soon tried to reorganize themselves, often fusing two or more Verbindungen to allow for greater impact, such as Guestphalia Bonn (West Germany) and Guestphalia Greifswald (East Germany). Although this was at first made illegal by

6080-503: The fraternity's coat of arms is also incorporated into objects, such as headgear or the épée (fencing rapier ). Many fraternity members can be identified through their Zirkel , or by less obvious codes such as a certain style of dressing, e.g. Timberland boots and polo shirts . Furthermore, rare figures of speech can give the hint that a person is a member of a Verbindung . Studentenverbindungen's coats of arms do not strictly follow heraldic rules, their use started around

6175-491: The ground of the 5th commandment "You shall not kill" , which includes the integrity of the God-given body in general. Visually, the most discerning characteristic of many Studentenverbindungen is the so-called Couleur , which can consist of anything from a small piece of ribbon worn over the belt, to elaborate uniforms with riding boots, sabers, and colorful cavalry jackets, depending on circumstances and tradition. Most commonly,

6270-430: The intimate form of addressing someone in German, or even by their first names. This commonly includes referring to one another as " Verbindungsbruder " ( Brother ). As it is possible for any Verbindung to forge treaties with another, this may also be extended to members of other fraternities. This relationship between the old and the young allows young members to learn how to bear responsibilities themselves. To laymen,

6365-533: The language. During the Wilhelminian Era , this development peaked, with the largest part of the academic community (active or alumni) being member in one or more of the over 1300 fraternities and even non-members cutting themselves with razors to simulate the appearance of the characteristic fencing wounds. As of today, Bismarck and Kaiser Wilhelm II still remain the most well-known of Corps students and German fraternity students in general. This lasted until

6460-546: The last fencing fraternity in Berlin in 1968, and the formal obligation to head of state Theodor Heuss to abolish duels for honor. One side effect is that, due to this persistent struggle back to acceptance through legal action and sheer will of survival, post war fraternities in Germany, unlike their pre-war selves, did not receive any university funding, but had also become completely free and independent of University regulation or oversight. While this allowed for progress and such

6555-575: The mind. Three primary institutions within the fraternity aid with achieving this aim; including the Corpsconvent [regular council meetings of the Corps Brothers], the Kneipe [celebratory get-together of Corps Brothers with speeches, beer and songs], and today's Bestimmungsmensur [the event of academic fencing with sharp blades for the first or one of the first times], where the ones to fence are chosen on

6650-469: The most well-known tradition of Studentenverbindungen is the Mensur , a special form of very strictly regulated, fixed-stance fencing ritual. The Mensur is practised with sharp blades, and although the body is well-protected, it allows for deep (cosmetic) facial and cranial wounds, which often result in a scar which is called Schmiss . The Schmiss was once regarded as the passport to a better future, because

6745-596: The new, first year Fuchs  [ de ] , the loose associate Renonce  [ de ] , the Burschen (German for fellow , full members), and the inactive Burschen (having been members for a set time limit, usually three or four semesters ) forming the fraternity's active core. The fourth group, the Chargen are Burschen elected by the former groups' democratic vote and entitled to decide over certain situations of everyday fraternity life. Common Chargierte are

6840-452: The now-extinct Landsmannschaften . A new characteristic was the heavy influence of German idealism , in particular the works of Kant and Fichte . This resulted in a strong focus on forming young members to be strong, upright and honorable, in order for the nation's "best and brightest" to spread these ideas throughout society. Political, especially geopolitical activities of Corps as a whole were actively discouraged, as social commitment

6935-606: The protection and used the sharp foil for duels. German students took up that practice and developed the Pariser ("Parisian") thrusting small sword for the Stoßmensur ("thrusting mensur"). After the dress sword was abolished, the Pariser became the only weapon for academic thrust fencing in Germany. Since fencing on thrust with a sharp point is quite dangerous, many students died from their lungs being pierced ( Lungenfuchser ), which made breathing difficult or impossible. However,

7030-573: The right wrist is guarded with a ring of mail, and the arm with folds of silk, which, like the turban of the East, are enough to stop an ordinary cut. Practically, though not according to strict rules, the body is altogether covered. The eyes are protected by iron spectacles, with a strong wire net instead of glasses. During the times of the Third Reich , the national socialist leadership chose to forbid academic fencing. They had recognized that Mensur fencing

7125-453: The same as those employed in civilian dueling , being at first the rapier and later the smallsword (court sword, dress sword, French : épée de cour , German : Kostümdegen, Galanteriedegen ), which was seen as part of the dress and always at hand as a side arm . Student life was quite unsafe in these years, especially in the 16th and 17th centuries during the Reformation wars and

7220-611: The seventh verse of August Daniel von Binzer 's song " Wir hatten gebauet ein stattliches Haus ", citing the colors of the Burschenschaft: Das Band ist zerschnitten, war schwarz, rot und gold, und Gott hat es gelitten, wer weiß was er gewollt! The ribbon is cut, t'was black, red and gold, and God suffer'd it, who knows what his intent! In the same year, due to general antisemitism prevalent in any social class, massive antisemitic protests, mainly fueled by students, craftsmen and traders, (see Hep-Hep riots ) swept

7315-467: The students to coordinate a nationalist revolution; i.e. a revolution to unify Germany and to abolish all princedoms. From the beginning, they were a dedicated political organization, in contrast to the Corps . This early attempt failed in 1819 when the Burschenschaft was fragmented, but the sentiment prevailed. At this occasion, the modern German colors are mentioned for the first time in popular culture, in

7410-594: The traditions of Mensur fencing if they had not continued throughout the time of Nazi occupation. Today, the Mensur is practiced by about 400 traditional Studentenverbindung fraternities in Germany, several of the Corps , Burschenschaften , Landsmannschaften , Turnerschaften , and Sängerschaften . Menzura , as the Mensur is known in Poland, is still practiced, although its popularity has declined since

7505-622: The uncertainty of the Weimar Republic times and the deeply felt humiliation of the harsh conditions of the Peace of Versailles caused many fraternity members to enlist in the newly founded Freikorps , paramilitary organizations thought to protect democracy. As open battles between Freikorps members and communist activists began, many quickly radicalized throughout society, resulting in formerly non-political fraternities developing an extreme nationalist, anti-communist and antisemitic standpoint. As this

7600-500: The unification of Germany, according to the principles of the Burschenschaft soon failed violently, the Studentenverbindungen had emancipated themselves, and many of the members of the first Frankfurt parliament were in fact Corps students or Burschenschaft members. Thus, the general concept flourished quickly, and soon, the Studentenverbindungen were no longer seen as clubs of young rowdies and revolutionaries, but as

7695-479: The year 1800. The escutcheon is often divided in four, Burschenschaften's most commonly by a cross. These fields are filled with various non heraldic symbols, for example with the fraternity's colors, the Zirkel, allusions to their university or city and other regional heraldic elements, also symbols for friendship and eternity, that are taken from Freemasons and antiquity. More elaborate uniforms are usually worn at

7790-671: Was a fertile ground for the newly founded NSDAP to flourish on, many soon committed themselves to its principles, with some, such as the Burschenschaft , expelling Jews as early as 1920. When the NSDAP seized power in 1933, many rejoiced, although it was soon made clear that Studentenverbindungen would not be allowed to persist. There are several exceptions, though, most notably the Corps Saxo-Borussia , whose members loudly discussed on different occasions if "the fuehrer were to eat his asparagus with his knife, his fork, or his paws", coming to

7885-430: Was about honour. No combat with sharp blades took place without a formal insult. Compared to pistol duels, these events were relatively harmless. The fight regularly ended when a contestant received a wound at least one inch long that produced at least one drop of blood. It was not uncommon for students to have fought approximately 10 to 30 duels of that kind during their university years. The German student Fritz Bacmeister

7980-489: Was achieved during the 1950s and early 1960s, the Verbindungen again took a hard hit in 1968 with the general socialist sentiment amongst the student movement and their desire to abolish anything deemed reactionary. As of today, many of the prejudices then expressed still form the base of what little is known to the public about Verbindungen , resulting in a slow and steady decline in membership count since. A notable upswing

8075-404: Was an integral part of the internal strength of the last still-existing independent Studentenverbindung fraternities during the later 1930s. As Nazi pressure increased and fraternities were forced to officially suspend their activities, so-called comradeships were founded. These provided means for practicing and organising the Mensur among former fraternities while remaining undetected to

8170-667: Was continued for a long time and still survives in Sweden and Finland to the present day. When the first universities of the Holy Roman Empire were founded in Prague (1348), Vienna , and Heidelberg in the 14th century, they established a similar system, the Burse (From Latin "bursa" meaning "coin purse", from which Bursche stems, for the Burse's collective funds). Students were forced to live in

8265-414: Was developed and introduced throughout Germany. This meant the opponents of a Mensur were determined by the fencing official of their corporations. These officials were regularly vice-chairmen ( Consenior ) and responsible for arranging Mensur bouts in cooperation with their colleagues from other corporations. Their objective was to find opponents of equal physical and fencing capabilities to make

8360-433: Was established, which unified the latter. Today, the two umbrella organizations are tightly linked by a cooperation treaty, known as Die Corps . The types of fraternities soon diversified, and formerly informal clubs, such as sports clubs influenced by the political ideas of Turnvater Jahn ( Turnerschaften ), academic choirs ( Sängerschaften ), and groups influenced by the progressive movement ( Landsmannschaften after

8455-436: Was greatly impaired by treatment possibilities, with infected wounds posing a substantial risk. During this time, the first Christian fraternities were established by religious students missing belief as a basic principle of unity. Although some of them still took up weapons, many refused to do so from an ethical and religious standpoint. They often carried generic names, unifying themselves under an umbrella organization such as

8550-542: Was more and more forbidden, even for students. This certainly reduced the number of spontaneous duels dramatically. The regulated duel remained in use, though still forbidden. The foil was invented in France as a training weapon in the middle of the 18th century to practice fast and elegant thrust fencing. Fencers blunted the point by wrapping a foil around the blade or fastening a knob on the point ("blossom", French : fleuret ). In addition to practising, some fencers took away

8645-482: Was not known. During this period, the regulated duel was developed, accompanied by the idea to defend one's honor with a weapon and a strict code to guide the confrontation. This potentially lethal tradition continued until 1933 in Germany, with being so strict at some points, that e.g. a Prussian officer could be expelled if he was not willing to demand or give satisfaction . As the Landsmannschaften faded during

8740-559: Was only delivered by the recent Bologna process , depriving students of long known means of studying and thus increasing the demand for assistance by experienced alumni. As of 2013 , a bit less than 1% of German university students are active members of a Studentenverbindung . Academic fencing Academic fencing (German: akademisches Fechten ) or Mensur is the traditional kind of fencing practiced by some student corporations ( Studentenverbindungen ) in Germany , Austria , Switzerland , Latvia , Estonia , and, to

8835-532: Was reduced in the second half of the 20th century. Most Mensur scars are located on the left temple of the forehead. Scars on the cheek and chin are rather uncommon today and sometimes due to accidents. Starting in Spain at the end of the 15th century, the dueling sword ( rapier ) became a regular part of the attire of noblemen throughout Europe. In the Holy Roman Empire , this became usual among students, as well. Brawling and fighting were regular occupations of students in

8930-501: Was seen as more promising and less controversial. Another characteristic was to unify all of a city's, and ultimately Germany's, Corps under an umbrella organization and to vote on common rules and principles for each Corps to abide by. Hence the KSCV was created in 1848. The oldest, still existing Studentenverbindung , Corps Guestphalia Halle established in 1789, was a founding member. The Corps soon saw themselves heavily confronted by

9025-470: Was that some peaceful students had nobody to offend them. The solution was a kind of formal insult that did not actually infringe honour, but was just seen as a challenge for fencing. The standard wording was dummer Junge (German for "stupid boy.") In the long term, this solution was unsatisfying. Around 1850, the Bestimmungsmensur (German bestimmen means "ascertain", "define" or "determine")

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