Why was German unification unlikely in 1815?

Why was German Unification unlikely in 1815? Lesson Aim: To have investigated key factors to explain why unification was unlikely in 1815. TASK: Read Access p1-4 to get a flavour of the course. We will go through it as a class as well.

P1-4

Prussia/Austria Holy Roman Empire: 962-1806 – A vast area in central Europe under the control of a powerful prince.

1815: Vienna Congress, 39 states Print slides 3,4,5 as notes page to annotate. 1871

OVERVIEW OF CONTENT The German Confederation, 1815-48: i. Why was Unification unlikely in 1815? ii. What were the forces of change 1815-48? iii. ‘Peaceful Dualism’ Austrian political and Prussian economic control. Revolutions in Germany 1848-49: i. The Frankfurt Parliament. ii. The Prussian Revolution. The Rise of Prussia, 1850-62: i. Economic and Political developments. 4. Diplomacy and War, 1862-71: i. Bismarck, Master Planner or Opportunist. ii. The Polish Revolt 1863. iii. War with Denmark 1864. iv. Austro-Prussian War, the Seven Weeks War 1866. v. The Franco-Prussian War 1870-71. Bismarck’s Germany 1871-1890: i. Developing a National Identity in a united Germany Bismarck’s relationship with political parties 1871 – 1890. ii. The ‘Kulturekampf’ and social policies under Bismarck 1871 - 1890

THE GERMAN CONFEDERATION 1815-184- put in ‘key ideas box’ Why was German Unification unlikely in 1815? The German Confederation was set up at the Congress of Vienna (1815) with 39 separate states all being controlled by separate rulers. The Diet (Parliament) of the Confederation included representatives from each state chosen by the individual princes. It had little power as there was unanimous verdicts and no army or civil service. ‘Peaceful Dualism’ meant that Austria and Prussia dominated and shared the control of Germany. The southern catholic states tended to look towards Austria for leadership and the northern, protestant states to Prussia. The was cultural, religious and national disunity. Some non-Germans were part of the Confederation; some Confederation states were ruled by non-Germans and parts of the Habsburg Empire was outside of the Confederation. There was also the catholic/protestant divide. The Junkers (aristocratic landowners) dominated society. The army and civil service were dominated by the aristocracy and there was little industry or large towns.

P6: Why was unification unlikely in 1815? Take notes for your section – Focus on evidence, this is context. German disunity – as a class Vienna Settlement The Diet Restoration of monarchical rule

RESTORATION OF MONARCHICAL RULE DISUNITY VIENNA SETTLEMENT Key Ideas THE DIET RESTORATION OF MONARCHICAL RULE

Mini whiteboards…. What positive basis for unification was there? Why were they not successful? Why was Prussia and Austria such a large obstacle to unification?