Legacy of Frederick William IV Granted constitution 1849 Conservative in nature but adult male suffrage established Parliament given right to have say in law making King retained great power

The Prussian Constitution Upper House Lower House Parliament King permitted debate King could rule by decree Civil Rights guaranteed King hired & fired ministers Restrictions passed on elections to the Landtag

The Erfurt League Ambitions of Fred Will League of 3 Kings 17 more states added League was threat to Austria Austrians decided to revive the Bund Crisis in Hesse-Cassel Humiliation at Olmutz

What had been the impact of Revolutions on ‘Germany’? Had seen the end of Metternich But Austria seemingly invigorated German Liberals had seen fleeting success Issue of ‘Big/Little Germany’ insurmountable Frederick William gave Prussia constitution Austria still dominant force despite threat to Dualism

Economic Change 1850s-1860s During period German economy achieved ‘take-off’ Expansion in all sectors of industry Much of this expansion taking place in Prussia Benefits to the Army

Prussia & Austria Prussia blocked Austrian request for support in Crimean conflict (1854-6) Austria very isolated Austria attempted to set up new customs union to link with the Zollverein Blocked by Prussia – Zollverein remained dominant Austrians blamed Prussia for defeat in Italy

The Nationalverein August 1859 call for party committed to German unification Nationalverein set up – first national political organisation Supported by m/class + industrialists Liberal in outlook but now more realistic Looked to Prussia for leadership