Failure of German Nationalism Essays
Many of you were struggling with getting decent KU in each of your sections to back your argument up.
Below are two sections that should have been in your essay – one on the isolated factor, which was religious
divisions and one on possibly the most important factor – which was Austrian opposition.
KU is in purple
Argument in pink
The loyalty of the Protestant northern German states historically was to Protestant Prussia and the loyalty of
the Catholic southern German states was to Catholic Austria. Thus, it was more than just religion that divided
the German states. The tension and rivalry that existed between the two largest German states exacerbated the
existing religious divisions and made the possibility of unification more problematic.
An indication of how strong the traditional cultural and religious ties between the southern Catholic states and
Austria were came in the 1866 Austro-Prussian War. Many of the southern states fought with Austria, despite
being members of the Prussian-led Zollverein. Before 1850, however, whilst the religious division in the
German states was clearly an obstacle to any future unification, there were other far more important factors –
not least of all being the opposition of Austria to any form of unification.
Nationalism and liberalism were two political philosophies that usually went hand-in-hand at this time. The
arch-conservative Austrian Chancellor Prince Metternich was very much aware of the dangers of such
philosophies. Nationalism, if allowed to spread unchecked, could potentially lead to the disintegration of the
vast Austro-Hungarian Empire. He was also keen to ensure that Austria would not be excluded from German
affairs by the creation of some sort of Kleindeutschland. There are several clear instances of Austrian
opposition to German nationalism; the two most important coming in 1819 and 1850.
In 1819 the Austrians passed the notorious Carlsbad Decrees which effectively suppressed the student
Burschenscaften which had been flourishing in German universities since the end of the Napoleonic Wars.
These nationalist organisations had been responsible for nothing more serious than a few demonstrations and
the burning of an effigy of Metternich at Wartburg in 1817. However, Metternich recognised the spirit of
these organisations and was quick to deal with it when given the excuse in 1819 when the member of one of
the Burschenshaften murdered the anti-liberal writer and Tsarist agent Kotzebue. The Carsbad Decrees, as F.
McKichan stated effectively suppressed German nationalism ‘for a generation’.
In 1850, after recovering from the revolutions of 1848-49 the new Austrian Chancellor Scwartzernburg forced
the Prussians to accept the ‘humiliation’ of the Treaty of Olmutz. This meant that the Efrurt Union – a
Prussian-led attempt to replace the Bund and unite the German states on the terms of their rulers was
abandoned. Thus it is clear that while Austria remained strong the prospects for the unification of the German
states were slim. Before 1850 opposition from Austria was definitely the main stumbling block for German
nationalists in their attempts to unite the German states.
Some of you were also struggling with what KU to put in some of the other sections so here are a few good
examples:
Opposition of rulers of states – in 1849 rulers were quick to withdraw their support delegates for the
Frankfurt Parliament when it was clear that the revolutions were over.
Opposition of other countries in Europe – Russia supported Austria (even with a promise of military
support) in 1850 with Treaty of Olmutz, which forced Prussia to abandon the Erfurt Union.
Introductions
The main problem with most of your introductions was that there was no clear line of argument indicated.
Here are two good introductions and I have highlighted references to the question and outline of argument in
green. You must indicate the general direction of your argument in your introduction.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANY OF THIS WORK BE MEMORISED AND
PLAGIARISED IN YOUR ESSAYS – THERE ARE EXAMPLES OF HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE
ONLY.
Nationalism is the desire of a people with a common language, culture and traditions to be united in their own
state with their own ruler. Between 1815, the year the Napoleonic Wars ended, and 1850 the German states
experienced a growth of nationalism and desire for unity. However, by 1850 the German states were still not
united., despite two attempts at doing so in 1848 and 1849. Historians have since debated what the obstacles
to unification were. Some argue that the religious divisions in Germany were the main obstacle to unification.
Others suggest that the opposition from Austria was more important, or that the individual rulers’ fear of
losing power played a vital part. This essay will establish that, while religious division was an important
factor, the opposition from Austria and the rulers were more important.
Between1815 and 1850 there had been two real attempts to unify Germany, however, both of these failed.
Germany was still composed of 39 states as it had been in 1815. Although nationalism had grown, it was not
successful by 1850. Religious divisions between the German states were one of the many obstacles to German
unification, however they were certainly not the most important. Austrian opposition was the largest obstacle
to German unification, closely followed by divisions amongst nationalists. Other reasons included the lack of
a wide support base, economic divisions and opposition from rulers of states.