German Burschenschaften (abbreviated B! in German; plural: B!B!) are a special type of Studentenverbindungen (student fraternities). Burschenschaften were founded in the 19th century as associations of university students inspired by liberal and nationalistic ideas.

The very first one, called Urburschenschaft (original Burschenschaft), was founded on June, 12, 1815 at Jena as an association drawn from all German university students inspired by liberal and patriotic ideas. Its purpose was to break down society lines and to destroy rivalry in the student body, to improve student life and increase patriotism. It was intended to draw its members from a broader population base than the Corps. At first, a significant component of its membership were students who had taken part in the German wars of liberation against the Napoleonic occupation of Germany.

Its motto was “honor, freedom, fatherland” (German: Ehre, Freiheit, Vaterland), and the original colors were red-black-red with a golden oak leaves cluster, which might be based on the uniform of the Lützow Free Corps, being a corps of volunteer soldiers during the wars of liberation. These colors were based on the Holy Roman Empire's national colors black-red-gold, although the reason for the colors was as well a practical one. Even today, these colors are worn by many Burschenschaften.