Alvensleben Convention

German history

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June 18, 2026

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The Alvensleben Convention was an agreement negotiated in 1863 between Prussia and Russia. Prussian General Gustav, count von Alvensleben-Erxleben, served as the chief personal adviser to King William I of Prussia and was dispatched to St. Petersburg to negotiate this convention.1

The agreement provided for Prussian-Russian cooperation in suppressing insurrections within their Polish territories. However, due to concerted opposition from Western powers, the Prussian government repudiated the convention, and it was ultimately abandoned. This convention is distinct from the Convention of Gastein, an agreement between Austria and Prussia in 1865 concerning the administration of Schleswig and Holstein.12

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Gustav, count von Alvensleben-Erxleben
…this agreement, known as the Alvensleben Convention (1863), was repudiated by the Prussian government and allowed to pass into oblivion. Subsequently appointed lieutenant general (1863) and general of the infantry (1868), Alvensleben saw service in the Franco-German war (1870–71) as head of the 3rd Army Corps.
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…this agreement, known as the Alvensleben Convention (1863), was repudiated by the Prussian government and allowed to pass into oblivion. Subsequently appointed lieutenant general (1863) and general of the infantry (1868), Alvensleben saw service in the Franco-German war (1870–71) as head of the 3rd Army Corps.
Read More