The Unification of Germany

Key Questions What was Germany like before 1815? How was Germany affected by the Vienna settlement? What was the impact of Nationalism on the Germanic states? What was the significance of the Zollverein? What accounts for the rise of Prussian economic and military power? Why did revolution come to Germany in 1848 and what were the consequences/results?

Germany before 1815 German speaking language- no corresponding territory to call “Germany”- most German speaking people were part of the Holy Roman Empire Ancient Empire- ruled by the Hapsburgs A collection of lands whose rulers owed allegiance to the Holy Roman Emperors (who were Austrian) A bewildering variety of tiny states ruled by margraves, dukes, princes, electors, etc…

Germany before 1815 Most significant state within the Holy Roman Empire was Brandenburg-Prussia (north east)- ruled by the Hohenzollerns (Prussians) Saxony Bavaria Baden Wurttemberg

Germany before 1815 1792- 250 states linked by language and membership of the HRE The HRE did not ‘rule’ in any temporal sense The people of the Germanic lands owed allegiance to their rulers- fierce loyalty- therefore localist and not nationalist Some German state ruled over non-Germans- Prussia and Poles, Austria ruled many No religious uniformity due to the reformation (1517)- split between Catholics and Protestants (Peace of Augsburg 1555) Most Germans were involved in agriculture and small industries- one big city (Vienna) and one major port (Hamburg)

Evidence of German Nationalism See handout- German Fatherland and wars of liberation

Italy vs. Germany Discuss whether it seemed more likely in 1815 that Germany or Italy would seek unification? Wells 21-23 Wells 110- 112 Germany

Prussia Eastern provinces- economically poor, poor soil in Brandenburg, the estates in the east had no modern farming techniques 18th century Prussian tradition/culture- service to the state, hard work, religious devotion, respect for the army and the monarch, Junkers “Parade ground of Europe”

Austria

Austria Most influential empire in continental Europe (1815- 1848) 1.5 million Czechs, 3.3. million Magyars, Slovaks, Croats, Italians, Poles, Romanians, Ruthenes, Serbs, Slovenes and Belgians Official language and culture- German Technically ruled all of Germany (not Prussia) through the HRE

History and Hindsight…too much? Source A: The century towards which the Hapsburgs were moving was to see the gradual triumphs of two concepts: democracy and nationalism. Each was in itself a threat to the survival of the dynasty. When the two joined hands, any hope of stability…was doomed. Brook Shepherd, G. 1997. The Austrians. London, UK. HarperCollins. P. 30

German Confederation Governance See handout- 1-3 discussion questions