1.
2.
3.
4.
Economic factors; the Zollverein;
Cultural factors/Role of the Liberals.
Military weakness/ Napoleonic Wars;
Effects of French Revolution
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GERMANY- SEPARATE
NAPOLEON- 400 STATES- 39 (CONFEDERATION OF
THE RHINE)
NAPOLEON GONE- BUND
AUSTRIA- ANTRI NATIONALIST
PRUSSIA- POWERFUL FREDRICK WILHELM(FR)
1848 REVOLUTION- DESIRE FOR CHANGE. RESULT
FRANKFURT PARLIAMENT, FR TO LEAD- DISPUTES.
CRUMBLE. OLD PRINCES RETURN TO POWER.
ERFURT UNION- FR TRIES TO HEAD UP A UNITED
GERMANY. AUSTRIA SAYS NO, FR BACKS DOWN AT THE
TREATY OF OLMUTZ.
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Germany was not one country until 1871
Instead it was made up of lots of small
independent states
We need to find out how it became a united
country – what factors were involved?

For a country to be united, its people need to
feel nationalistic
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What is nationalism, or to feel nationalistic?
the belief that people sharing the same
language and culture should be ruled by
their own government.
It is a feeling of loyalty that causes
people to think of themselves as a nation
During the C19th and 20th nationalism
was a concept which developed in
several countries, including Germany. It
was such a powerful force that it could
unite many different countries into one
nation
Nationalism has been a cause of war?
Nationalism has been the cause of some
terrorist activity around the world?
Nationalism has been the cause of some
colonies seeking independence from their
Rulers?
Nationalism has been a cause of war?
and II
Nationalism has been the cause of some
terrorist activity around the world?
World War I
IRA, ETA,
Nationalism has been the cause of some
colonies seeking independence from their
Rulers?
India, many African
countries, Indonesia
Overall, nationalism is a very potent and powerful force
Read the hand out on the Growth of Nationalism – use
your own words to make notes on
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What makes one nation unique from others
What is ‘essential’ in the definition of a nation
Who / what did people used to be loyal to
When did people begin to give their loyalty to their
nation
What event was of great importance in this
NATIONALISM
Definition:
It is a difficult concept to define but a good definition is the belief that belonging
to a nation is more important than belonging to a town, province, class, social
group or religious group, and that the nation should do everything in its power to
defend its interests and identity. So, in a way it’s a ‘state of mind’ inspiring a large
majority of people who share a common culture, language, religion, history and
defined territorial area.
Reasons for the growth of nationalism in Europe, early 19 th century:
Before the 19th century, most people’s loyalty tended to be towards a monarch,
religion or, more likely to a landlord. Countries had been exchanged by conquest
or inheritance with little regard to the preference of their inhabitants.
In the 19th century, more loyalty was given to the nation. The French Revolution of
1789-1799 and the subsequent Napoleonic Empire was of great importance in
fostering this development. Napoleon indirectly supported the rise of nationalism
by abolishing many of the smaller states of the Holy Roman Empire which were
feudal barriers in the way of national unity. The American Wars of Independence in
the 1770’s also influenced people’s courage to overthrow an oppressor.
The writings of philosophers, intellectuals and poets enlightened people on their
rights and of their history. The Romantic Movement was an important cultural
movement in this regard.
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Thus by 1815, the idea of Nationalism was widely understood in Europe. However,
it was not a strongly held idea and to many of the monarchs who ruled Europe
after the defeat of Napoleon, it was something to be destroyed. They wanted to
make sure the devastation and disruption following the French Revolution and the
Napoleonic Wars would never again happen. They met at Vienna in 1815.
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Use the hand outs/p.6/7 of the gold
textbook.
Read as a class the situation of ‘Germany’ in
1815.
We will see 3 types of nationalism beginning to grow in Germany:
1.Political
Nationalism
Some people wanted a single German government to represent them
and wanted more say in the running of their country
2.Cultural Nationalism
Some people wanted to be united with others who they shared things
in common with – language, traditions, national dress …..
3.Economic Nationalism
Some people believed that if the states worked together then they’d
be more financially better off
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Population growth
◦ 1816 – 25 million
◦ 1845 – 34 million
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Growth of towns (urbanisation)
◦ 1815 only 10% of Germans lived in towns
◦ By 1840s about 30% lived in towns
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Growth of industry (industrialisation)
◦ 1815 industry made up of small workshops, many still in
rural locations.
◦ By 1840s large cotton mills, iron and engineering works
appearing
MORE PEOPLE LED TO A GROWTH OF COMMUNICATION.
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Prussia acquired the Rhineland in 1815
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This gave a huge boost to her economy
However this was hindered by several factors:

All states applied taxes to goods entering their territory
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Furthermore, all the different states had different weights and
measures systems, different currencies and different taxes
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Prussian businessmen wanted to change this to maximise their
profits
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The Prussian Customs Union was set up in 1818
The red line is the border of the Bund
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In 1815, Prussia gained coal and iron resources and access to the
River Rhine.
To encourage trade Prussia formed a customs union in 1818 that
by the 1830s was called the Zollverein.
The Zollverein was a prototype of a ‘united Germany’ under
Prussian control that excluded Austria – Kleindeutschland.
The Zollverein also helped Nationalism to spread.
The new railway network, centred in Prussia, also helped to bring
German states together.
William Carr has called the Zollverein “The mighty lever of
German unification.”
By 1836, 25 of the 39 German states had joined this economic
free-trade area (Austria was excluded).
They enabled the transport and exploitation of German natural
resources. Economic co-operation between German states
encouraged those seeking a political solution to the issue of
German unity.
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Read Blue P.109-110 or Gold p. 13-17
Summarise in your own words
What the Zollverein was
Who joined and when
Summarise why Prussia set it up
Summarise Austria’s exclusion from the Zollverein
use the table on p.13 (gold) or p.109-110 (blue) to create
a graph which shows Germanys expansion.
The Zollverein was important because:
◦ Prussia’s control of the Zollverein put them at the heart
of the German states.
◦ The rail network was developed putting Prussia again at
the centre.
 This rail system would later be used for Prussian controlled wars in
Bismarck’s wars of unity.
◦ Prussia became increasingly stronger economically
◦ Austria was not in the Zollverein – becoming isolated
◦ It set the example of working together economically and a
precedent for working together politically in a Prussian
controlled united Germany.
◦ This appealed to everyone!
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How important was the Zollverein in the
growth of Nationalism in Germany?
9minutes.
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Fichte described ‘Germany’ as the fatherland where all
people spoke the same language and sang the same
songs.
German poets and authors, such as the Grimm brothers,
and composers such as Beethoven, encouraged feelings
of national pride in the German states.
However Golo Mann (HISTORIAN) wrote that most
Germans ‘seldom looked up from the plough’. He
doubted the influence of artists most Germans knew
nothing about.
In 1830 anti-French feelings promoted ‘the watch on
the Rhine’ and nationalist festivals such as Hambach
(1832) also encouraged nationalist feelings.
Language
Martin Luther (10 November 1483 – 18
February 1546)
Initiated the Protestant Reformation.
Translated the Bible into German from Latin.
The basis for a common German language
known as‘High German’
Goethe: 1749 – 1832
writer, poet, playwright.
Famous for play: Faust
The Brothers Grimm 1785 - 1863
They are among the best-known story tellers of folk tales from Europe, and their work
popularized such tales as "Rumpelstiltskin", "Snow White", "Sleeping Beauty", "Rapunzel",
"Cinderella", "Hansel and Gretel",
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Immanuel Kant 1724 - 1804
he believed that all people are fundamentally rational beings
For instance, holding the maxim kill anyone who annoys you and applying it universally would
result in a world which would soon be devoid of people and without anyone left to kill. Thus
holding this maxim is irrational as it ends up being impossible to hold it.
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels: Creators of the
Communist Manifesto 1848. Fathers of communist
economics and ideology.
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Famous composers between 1750 - 1825
Johann Sebastian Bach
Ludwig van Beethoven
Brahms
Handel
Mendelsson
Strauss
Wagner
Summary
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25 million spoke the same language –
ideas were shared
United by language, it was felt they
should be united politically
Poets like Goethe and Heine praised
the nation state
Writers and musicians were inspired
by the idea of a Great Germany – the
Brothers Grimm + Beethoven
The Princes of the 39 states
originally stirred up nationalism to
drive out the French from their
states
Universities helped to promote
national feeing – Bonn, Berlin and
Munich especially
This period of time, 1800 – 1830s, where the
Arts prospered and encouraged nationalism to
grow, was called the Romantic Movement.
Nationalist feelings were beginning to be
expressed by some groups of Germans in the
states.
Their enthusiasm was of the ‘romantic’ kind –
this meant they had no clear ideas of how to
unify Germany into on Great country
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1817 The Wartburg Festival, Saxony.
◦ 500 students got together to celebrate the 4th
anniversary of the defeat of Napoleon.
◦ Demonstrations against undemocratic government
in Germany and Austrian interference in Germany.
◦ Burned books of anti-nationalist authors.
◦ Burned effigy of Metternich
◦ 1819 a student murdered anti-liberal writer,
Kotzebue
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Response of Metternich to Wartburg demos:
◦ The Carlsbad Decrees of 1819. (draconian)
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Strict censorship of the press introduced in Germany
Student societies suppressed
Political meetings banned
Liberal university teachers sacked
Student leaders imprisoned
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Conclusion
• The importance of cultural nationalism in the growth
of nationalism
 Promoted the idea that there was a common German
identity
 Was never strong enough to unite Germany
 Limited to intellectuals and middle class (low numbers)
 Not well organised
 No military strength
 Did not appeal to the masses (working class)
Read blue p82 – 85 (up to heading) or Gold
p.9-12
Make notes on:
 Main unifying force and effect of it - you
should mention Fichte’s quote – P83
 What does Stiles suggest about nationalism
 What originally encouraged people to be
nationalist
 Where were nationalists feelings first
expressed and by whom
 The Burschenschaften – Examples of who
encouraged nationalism and how
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You will soon read about these. These were laws
to prevent cultural nationalism of students.
Metternich (the Austrian Chancellor) wanted to
stop nationalism in Germany (Austria had a big
empire herself) so he passed laws to stop some
student organisations, sack professors who were
teaching radical/nationalist views and censor
papers.
This helped prevent Nationalism (but we will look
at this in more detail in issue 2)
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Overview:
After 1815, Metternich became worried about the growth of student societies,
many of which supported Liberalism and Nationalism. The Karlsbad Decrees of
1819 tried to stop the spread of new ideas. At the same time, many Germans
began to think in a more nationalist way and became more interested in their
common culture. This was called Cultural Nationalism
Karlsbad Decrees
After 1815 many students criticised Metternich’s power and embraced
nationalism. The students went around the universities spreading their ideas.
Metternich’s effigy was burned at a festival and he became worried about
these nationalist and liberal ideas spreading and weakening Austria’s power. In
1819, the Karlsbad Decrees, passed by the Diet of the German Confederation,
banned student societies and censored newspapers. Metternich may have
driven these societies underground but their will was strengthened.
Cultural Nationalism
German poets, authors and composers, for example the brothers Grimm and
Beethoven, were beginning to encourage feelings of national pride in the
German states through their work. There was little that Metternich could do
about this. One important academic, Johann Fichte who was the head of the
University of Berlin up to his death in1818, spoke about how Germans should
recognise a broad national identity. He called Germany the ‘Fatherland’ and
spoke about Germans living without interference from foreign powers. Fichte’s
prominent position in Germany meant his statements were influential.
However, it is important to remember that the impact of this cultural
nationalism was largely limited to educated Germans.
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Why this is less important that economic
nationalism?
Use p. 85-86 (blue) and p. 11-12 (gold) and
make up a table of evidence:
Evidence that cultural
nationalism was evident
Evidence that cultural
nationalism was limited.
(Remember Golo Mann (HISTORIAN) wrote that
most Germans ‘seldom looked up from the
plough’.)
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Get a copy of the Cultural Nationalism
paragraph from Miss Glynn and glue this into
your notes.
Get 3 different colour highlighters and in the
paragraph highlight:
Argument that the topic (cultural nationalism)
was important
Evidence
Argument that the topic (cultural nationalism)
was not the most important.
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The growth of the population, industrialisation and
urbanisation, created a large, discontented urban
working class
Appalling working and living conditions led to
social unrest and demands for political reform.
Improvements in transport made people more
aware of the wider world.
The development of industry led to the growth of a
wealthy middle class. They had economic power
but no politcal power. They pressed for political
reform and saw unification as the only way
forward.
The peasants who lived in the countryside were unhappy with
demands for higher rents from their landlords. They also had to
work harder to produce more food for a growing population
The urban working class who lived in the towns and cities were
unhappy with shortages of food, increasing prices, wage cuts
and unemployment = a drop in their standard of living
These 2 groups simply wanted to survive and demanded an
improvement in their living standards. They DID NOT demand
any political change
The middle class were frustrated by a lack of professional jobs
and their lack of power and influence
They demanded the creation of a united Germany and more
political say
All of the groups demanded CHANGE
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The educated middle-class had become important to
German society. They were the doctors, lawyers and
business men, who helped make the German states
prosperous. Across all 39 states, this middle-class
wanted more rights and freedoms as German subjects
to reflect their contribution to German states' success.
They wanted freedom of speech and an elected
parliament that would represent their interests.
They thought these ideals would best be realised and
protected in a united Germany with a new constitution.
By 1859, groups of doctors, lawyers, teachers and
businessmen formed the Nationalverein. This
organisation became the Liberal Party, which actively
campaigned for reforms such as parliamentary
elections.
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Middle class - Nationalism was very much a middle class theory
which was not widespread
The Intelligencia – intelligent educated people
Students – Bonn, Berlin, Munich
Professors – who encouraged students to be ‘nationalist’
BUT, not everyone felt nationalist – it was very much a middle class
movement
The nationalism experienced in Germany at this time was
therefore NOT going to lead to a unified Germany by itself
◦ Ordinary Workers were not concerned by nationalism
WHY?
◦ Uneducated people didn’t consider a united Germany
WHY?
They had other priorities – food, shelter, day to
day survival
They simply wanted an improvement to their
standard of living and didn’t equate that with
nationalism
Many were illiterate and couldn’t access or
understand the poetry, literature, concerts
…and so on
Historians suggest that there is some evidence that
workers were beginning to take a real interest in politics
and thinking about how they could improve their lives
This shouldn’t be overestimated though
Read last section of p85 (blue) p. 11(half way down the
page GOLD) and summarise it
You should make a note of Stiles’ quote and explain it
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Largely a middle/upper class ideal.
Need to be educated to understand it.
Stiles “Liberalism and Nationalism remained
largely middle-class before 1848”
Carlsbad Decrees stifled some of the work of
Nationalists.
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How important was the role of the Liberals in
the growth on Nationalism in Germany?
9minutes.
Things that happened in neighbouring France had an effect on Germany
The French Revolution took place in 1789.
What is a ‘revolution’?
This was a time of vast change an overhaul within the country. It believed
in:
◦ Liberalism (freedom)
◦ Equality
◦ Power to the people. Part of this process was the seizing of power by
the working and middle classes (away from the upper class elite)
What effect would this have on ‘German’ people living near France?
The French Revolution
For centuries, the quality of life in Europe had been determined by the status
that one held. This status could not be attained, but was instead determined by
the family to which someone was born. If you were born to a poor family, your
life would be one of poverty. No matter how hard an individual worked, it was
impossible to rise above this fate.
The wealthy enjoyed a life of ease, comfort and recreation. Day after day, they
pursued the pleasures of European society, while 97% of Europe’s people
struggled just to survive.
This gap between the wealthy and the poor created resentment. Those at the
bottom saw the wealthy grow increasingly richer, while the poor got nothing.
Then, in 1776, something unthinkable happened. A group of people at the
bottom of society rebelled against those who were at the top, and what was
more remarkable, they won. The British Colonies in America declared their
independence and then enforced it by beating back the most powerful military
on Earth.
This sent shockwaves throughout Europe, and gave hope to many povertystricken peasants who wanted to see the powerful aristocracies of Europe fall. If
America could do it, why couldn’t they? Why couldn’t they rebel and create a
new, fairer society?
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As a class read p. 9-11 of McKichan
Take notes about what you learn.

Crash Course French Revolution
After the Revolution and as part of the expansion of French
power, from 1792 there were 20 years of war as Napoleon's
French troops conquered most of mainland Europe.
With so many small independent
German states, approx 300 - 400 of them, what
message did this send to Napoleon?
They were an
easy target for
others like the French to threaten
People throughout the states grouped together for
protection –
together they were stronger compared to being weak
and easy to
conquer as individual states
This uniting together encouraged nationalism to grow
Take Notes on
 What happened in 1840
 What area did France threaten
 Who did this territory belong to
 How did the other neighbouring states
respond? Did they ignore the French threats
or did they support their neighbour who was
being threatened …..
 What did their reaction show?
Overall
The French had a great influence on the German states
◦ The Germans got a taste of Revolutionary ideas from the French Rev
1789.
◦ The Germans were united in their hatred of the French following
being conquered during the Napoleonic Wars.
◦ They saw that together they were stronger so they grouped
together for protection
◦ The French threats in 1840 showed that the states cared about each
other and would support each other
◦ McKichan “ Napoleon quite unintentionally laid some of the
foundations for the eventual unification of Germany”
◦ McKichan re nationalists “Napoleon’s treatment of Germany was
increasing heir number year by year”
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Impact of the French invasions
•Ideas of the French Revolution appealed to the
middle classes in the German
states.
•Impact of Napoleonic wars — many Germans
argued that Napoleon/France
had been able to conquer German states pre1815 due to their division as separate,
autonomous territories. German princes had
stirred national feeling
to help raise armies to drive out the French,
aiding the sense of a common
German identity with common goals.
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How important was the INFLUENCE OF THE
FRENCH in the growth on Nationalism in
Germany? (here you can talk about the French
Rev and Influence of Napoleon)
9minutes.
Napoleon was defeated in 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo. The
German states now had the task of changing things and undoing
Germany of Napoleon’s legacy
• Chancellor Metternich was a very traditionalist leader of
Austria.
• He dominated the Bund
• Austria had a lot of influence in Germany
• Metternich did not want ideas of Nationalism and unity
spread within Germany. Why?
•Article 2 of the Confederation was for:
–“The maintenance of the external and internal safety of
Germany and the independence… of the individual German
states”
The German Confederation
Read p102 – 103 blue, paragraph 1 only,
p.1 and p.3-4 gold of the textbook and make notes on:
What did Napoleon reorganise into the Confederation of the Rhine?
 What was the Confederation of the Rhine?
The German Confederation / Bund
 What it was
 When and why was it established
 Who was in charge
 Were nationalists happy with this – explain

The ‘German’ states wanted change, to undo Napoleon’s
legacy
The German Confederation (Bund) set up in 1815
Contained 39 states led by Austria
A loose association / meeting places
the states
Nationalists disappointed:
1. Germany was not unified
2. Bund to be led by anti nationalist Austria
The Bund would not unify the states but instead aimed
to keep them separate and weak
Mitchell suggests that ‘The Bund was more a means to
perpetuate (continue) the division of Germany than to unite it’
BUT, NATIONALISM STILL CONTINUED TO GROW
SQA “•1848 revolutions
in Germany raised
consciousness greatly
even though they failed.
“
Revolutions engulfed Europe, including the
states of the Deutscher Bund.
Reasons:
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Harvest failures : Potato famine 1846-48
1847 wheat prices x2
1848 cholera epidemics
Industrial depression
Lack of response to crises by undemocratic
governments (the autocracies)
Metternich unable to keep control so he fled to
Britain.
 revolutions break out in Vienna, North Italy, Hungary
and Prague
Austrians could not influence the affairs of
Bund states. This affects German nationalism
because:
• without control of Austria, nationalist revolutionaries
could now demand democratic reforms and unification
Berlin (Prussia) 1848 (McKichan p 36 – 38)
 Demonstrations and street fighting outside the royal
palace. 300+ rioters killed by government soldiers.
 Bodies of the dead and wounded were paraded in front
of King Frederick William IV (King of Prussia).
 KFW IV deeply saddened by deaths and announces his
support and leadership for liberty and a unified
Germany.
 A new Parliament of the German people was to meet in
Frankfurt, May 1848.
The nature of the Frankfurt Assembly
 Elected members were middle class, well educated.
 Most were liberals and nationalists
 Wanted
 a united Germany with a monarch as Head of State.
 A parliament elected by middle class /well educated ie.
People like themselves.
: The purpose of the Frankfurt Assembly
 Decide on the future for Germany
 Klein or Grossdeutschland
 Monarchy or democracy
 Draw up a constitution for a united Germany
Issues the Assembly disagreed over
 If KD or GD who would be offered the crown? Austria
or Prussia or who?
 Workers who were in Assembly (Minority) called for a
republic to protect them against exploitation by their
bosses.
 The business owners (the middle class members) were
the bosses who claimed workers demands were too
much and would destroy business.
Collapse and dissolution of Frankfurt
Assembly
 1848 into 1849 revolutions die down
 Austrians regain control over its own territories by March
1849
 No chance Austrians wanted to be part of a united and
liberal Germany.
 So, now the Frankfurt Assembly offer the crown of a
KleinD to FWIV.
 FW IV has restored power in Prussia as well
 Changes his mind about leading a united and liberal
Germany
 He refuses to accept the crown!
 Other monarchs ignore the FA constitution and withdraw
their states.
 FA dissolved.
Possibility for unification from above.
The League of the Three Kings
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KW IV still interested in Unification but on his terms.
Ie not to be controlled by his subjects.
Invites rulers of Saxony and Hanover to form a
federation of states with an army and foreign policy
controlled by Prussia.
Other states join and meet at Erfurt (Saxony) March
1850. This makes up the
Erfurt Union.
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Erfurt Union not very strong as other German states were
suspicious of Prussian motives and scared of Austrian reaction
if they joined.
By 1850 Austria had a new, strong Chancellor, Prince
Schwarzenberg. Austria recovering fast after revolutions.
Austria crushes the Erfurt Union and restores the power of
the Bund:
 Schwarzenburg objects to plan of Erfurt Union plan to have
KleinD.
 Persuades majority of German states to meet at Frankfurt to plan
restoration of pre 1848 confederation (Bund). Prussia does not
attend.
 Old Bund arrangement agreed.
 Test case: Hesse Cassel asks for military help from Bund to put
down a minor rebellion. Bund helps. But HC is ally of Prussia and
Austrian troops sent in to help HC.
 Prussia could have declared war on Austria but doesn’t as it is
not ready for war and fears power of Austria in alliance with
Russia.
 Nov 1850, Treaty of Olmutz. Meeting of Austria and Prussia.
Prussia is forced to abandon the Erfurt Union.
 This a humiliating defeat for Prussia. Shows Austria politically
stronger than Prussia.
Reasons for failure
a) Austrian power and influence over the
German southern states like Bavaria had
been re established by 1850 and they were
reluctant to support Prussia’s desire for a
Kleindeutschland
b) Prussia was forced to abandon the EU
because it was not strong enough militarily
or politically to exclude Austria from any
German union at the time.
Most European countries experienced revolution in
this year.
(BLUE) Read p93, Attitude of the Peasants, up to
p95, The Forces of Change
(Gold) Read p. 21-p.24 The Forces of Change.
Make notes on the different groups who protested
and their reasons for this – use sub headings to
divide your notes
In Germany Liberals demanded:
◦ Freedom of speech
◦ Freedom of press
◦ Political rights
Peasants and Workers demanded a better
standard of living
Middle class demanded job opportunities and to
have more power and influence
Nationalists also wanted:
A united Germany run by an elected ‘national’ parliament.
They all had one thing in common – they wanted CHANGE
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Violent riots broke out in the German states
demanding for change

Metternich feared for his life and fled to
Britain

Were the rioters successful? NO
Read p 99 (Blue) or p. 29/30 (Gold) and make
notes on the 6 reasons for the failure of the
1848 Revolutions
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Read the 1848 revolutions hand out and take
notes if you require confirmation of events.
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To what extent can it be argued that political
issues were the main reason for a growth in
nationalism?
10mins
Remember the Bund.
The 1848 Revolution
Arguments FOR AND AGAINST.
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French Revolution – effect of this on the neighbouring ‘Germans’
Effect of the French Occupation / Military weakness of individual
states
Cultural factors and the Romantic Movement bringing people
together
The Middle Class / Intelligencia driving forward nationalism
But none of these would unite the states – just not powerful enough.
Something else was needed
Economic factors
Cultural factors – „Romanticism‟
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The main unifying force was language – 25 million Germans spoke the same language and shared through it the same culture
and literature.
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- Writers and thinkers (eg Heine, Fichte, Goethe, Brothers Grimm, Schiller, Hegel) encouraged the growth of a German
consciousness.
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- Post-1815 nationalist feelings first expressed in universities.
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- The Hambacherfest and student demonstrations – little accomplished by the students.
Economic factors
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Urbanisation and industrialisation in the German states led to frustration at the political fragmentation of Germany which can
be argued to be the most important obstacle to German economic development. Middle-class businessmen called for a more
united market to enable them to compete with foreign countries.
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Prussian economic expansion proceeded steadily in the 19th Century. Prussia‟s gain of territory on the River Rhine after 1815
(leading to a drift in power away from Austria and towards Prussia as the latter began to build on the rich resources such as
coal and iron deposits) meant it had good reason to reach an agreement with neighbours to ensure relatively free travel of
goods and people between its lands in the east and the west. Businessmen complained that tax burdens were holding back
economic development. Prussia created a large free-trade area within Prussia herself which aided the needs of businessmen.
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The Zollverein was the „mighty lever‟ of German unification. By 1836, 25 of the 39 German states had joined this economic
free-trade area (Austria was excluded).
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Railway/road development from the 1830s onwards ended the isolation of German states from each other. They enabled the
transport and exploitation of German natural resources. Economic co-operation between German states encouraged those
seeking a political solution to the issue of German unity.
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Political factors
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Ideas of the French Revolution appealed to the middle classes in the German states.
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German princes had stirred national feeling to help raise armies to drive out the French, aiding the sense of a common
German identity with common goals.
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Growth of Liberal political beliefs.
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The 1848 Revolutions in Germany raised consciousness greatly even though they failed.
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Military factors
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The impact of Napoleonic wars meant many Germans saw that Napoleon/France had been able to conquer the separate,
autonomous German states before 1815 due to their divisions.
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Growth of Burschenschaften pre-1815 dedicated to driving French from German soil – zealous but lacking a clear idea of how
best to accomplish the task.
How important were economic
factors in the growth of
nationalism in Germany,
1815-1850?
There are three basic types of essay question on this topic:A. Why did nationalism grow/What were the reasons for the growth of nationalism?
DO THE NAMED FACTOR FIRST.
WEIGH UP THE FACTORS AS YOU GO ALONG – DON’T WAIT TILL THE CONLUSION TO COMPARE THE FACTORS TO EACH OTHER IN TERMS OF THEIR
IMPORTANCE.
1. Intro – SEAF
(start date – 1815, end of Napoleonic war/creation of Deutscher Bund, end date – 1850, still no united German state, was a growth of
nationalism due to several factors ……..)
2. Impact of French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars
400 – 39 states, more on end of Napoleonic wars and creation of Bund
How Napoleon triggered nationalism in German states, how Bund pleased but frustrated nationalists.
3. Culture
Language, race -‘volk’, music, art, literature, history (Romans).
Burschenschaften, Wartburg Festival 1817, Carlsbad Decrees ‘nipped this nationalism in the bud’, Hambach Festival 1830
‘Talkers and dreamers with no real plan of action’ –McKichan? Or do all revolutions need thinkers to ‘sow the seeds’?
4. Economy
Prussian economy
Zollverein – how it united the German states economically, how it led to other things that contributed to German states moving together e.g.
railways, urbanisation.
Was the Zollverein more than an economic union? Stiles Vs AJP Taylor
5. 1848 Revolutions
1848 revolutions and Frankfurt Assembly 1848/9 – causes of these revolutions – harvest failure, economic slump, unemployment, Cholera
epidemic – how this stimulated nationalism in the German states, but how attempts to unify states failed when revolutions over.
6. CONCLUSION
Nationalism grew but ultimately failed to unite the German states by 1850.
Which factors were most important in the growth of German nationalism?
WEIGH UP the factors one by one – finish with the one that you think was most important. Include a good quote if you can.
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4.
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Economic factors; the Zollverein;
Cultural factors/Role of the Liberals.
Military weakness/ Napoleonic Wars;
Effects of French Revolution
OR
Economic
Political
Military
Cultural
Economic Factors – the most important in the growth of a
German national consciousness
Urbanisation and industrialisation led to middle class demands
for change – a more united market place was needed for
economic success
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The Zollverein aided economic unity and a German national
consciousness developed
The member states traded and acted as one country by late
1830s
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Economic unity paved the way for political union
Economic Importance
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Railway development from 1830s onwards ended isolation of
the states
Also enabled transportation of goods between states >
encouraged trade
Prussia gaining the Rhineland in 1815 began a drift in power away
from anti-nationalist Austria towards Prussia as the key state
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Coal and iron industry boomed in the member states
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Economic success set precedent for success in other realms
1.
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Cultural factors and their importance
Language as a unifying force - 25 million Germans spoke same
language
Through this they shared the same culture, traditions and
histories
Romantic Movement - works of poets, writers, musicians,
inspired by the idea of a great Germany, encouraged a growth
of national consciousness - Brothers Grimm, Heine, Beethoven,
Goethe
Mainly middle class movement up to 1848
Political Factors and their importance
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Ideas of French Revolution, 1789, appealed to the educated
middle class Liberty (freedom), Equality and, Power to the
people
The Germans got a taste of Revolutionary ideas.
Vormarz period – see p 85. Some evidence of working class
beginning to take interest in politics
1848 Revolutions – raised consciousness greatly among
nationalists and liberals, despite them failing
Military Necessity
The states had been conquered by Napoleon during the wars of
occupation when they were weak and separated
The Princes had stirred national feeling by encouraging the
‘Germans’ to stand together to drive out the French
Burschenschaften – nationalist student groups formed who
wanted to drive out the French
1840 French threats to the Rhineland – Prussia’s neighbours
came to her support – showed that the states came together
out of military necessity
Cultural factors were of some importance in the growth of a German
national consciousness between 1815-50. The fact that 25 million
Germans spoke the same language enabled them to access their shared
cultures, histories and traditions. A German national consciousness was
also promoted through the Romantic Movement which was inspired by the
ideas of a Great Germany. Yet, political factors also played their part.
The ideas of the French Revolution impacted on the Germans who rose up
in 1848 and showed they shared a common national consciousness. In
addition to this, the fear of further French invasions meant that Germans
came together through sense of military necessity. However, above all
else, economic factors played the most significant role in developing a
common German national consciousness. The development of the Zollverein meant
that member states traded and acted as one country and the subsequent
development of the railways broke down the barriers between the states.
Therefore, although cultural factors were of some importance
in the growth of a German national consciousness, economic factors were
of far more significance between 1815-50.
Every essay needs some historiography –
use of quotes which are explained and back
up the points you mention
The Confederation and the Individual States
Mitchell - The Bund was more a means to perpetuate the division of Germany
(than to unite it)
Article 2 of the Act of Confederation - 'The aim of this confederation shall be
the maintenance of the external and internal security of Germany as well as
the independence of the individual German states‘
McKichan - The way in which the confederation worked was designed to make it
difficult for it to develop into a united Germany
Carr – He (Metternich) had no doubt that demands for freedom would inevitably
lead to the destruction of the Austrian Habsburg Empire
McKichan - The events of 1840 show that nationalism had some impact on
people throughout Germany
Thomson suggests ‘The French united the German states in a
common feeling of resentment against them’ – showed that people
felt common bond
◦ McKichan “ Napoleon quite unintentionally laid some
of the foundations for the eventual unification of
Germany”
o
o
Thomson suggests ‘The French united the German states in a
common feeling of resentment against them’ – showed that
people felt common bond
McKichan re nationalists “Napoleon’s treatment of Germany was
increasing heir number year by year”
Stiles - Even in 1815 there were tens of thousands of people ….. who
felt passionately that Germans deserved a Fatherland
McKichan - The Carlsbad Decrees certainly succeeded in keeping Germany
quiet for a considerable period of time
McKichan – To keep the dark forces of nationalism at bay, Metternich
relied on the prestige of Austria and the goodwill and co-operation of
the German princes
Fitche – Those who speak the same language are joined to each other
by a multitude of invisible bonds
McKichan – Most historians agree that these ideas were held by
relatively limited numbers of educated town dwellers
Carr - 'It would be inappropriate to see the Zollverein as the
forerunner of German political unity'
Carr - The Zollverein was the mighty lever of German
unification
Stiles - The Zollverein was a force for unity in the 1840s and
therefore a focal point for nationalist sentiments
Stiles - (as a result of being leader of the Zollverein) 'Prussia
came to be regarded by many as the natural leader of a
united Germany'
Carr - Railways were of great political significance. They
helped to break down provincial barriers …. And underlined
the need for national unification