Prussian Growth/Austrian Decline Prussia grew in power for a variety of reasons between 1815 and 1860, which meant that the Prussian state would eventually be the leading power in unifying the German nation under Prussian domination. It is important to remember that Prussia developed as Austria declined and the combination of the two processes was what led to the creation of a German nation state or Kleindeutschland which excluded Austria.

Reasons for Prussian Growth Population growth-more citizens to work in factories, become soldiers, etc. Industrial growth-Prussian factories produced vast quantities of munitions and other manufactured goods to sell both at home and abroad. Prussia became a leading power in the development of certain chemical products eg dyestuffs and weapons. Massive quantities of coal, iron and steel were produced. Economic growth – productive factories and farmland meant a healthy economy to finance further expansion of trade, industry and the army. The Zollverein, in particular, was Prussian –led and Prussian trade expanded hugely as trade barriers between states collapsed.

Reasons for Prussian Growth, cont. Territorial growth – the Treaty of Vienna (1815) enlarged Prussian territory, giving greater areas of farm land, coalfields, etc. Prussia led the way in developing a huge and efficient railway network, allowing fast access for goods, raw materials and soldiers across the state, to its own borders and beyond. Prussia made excellent use of the telegraph after its invention, vastly improving national and international communication. Prussia invested hugely in developing its military strength.

Reasons for Austrian Decline Birth rate relatively slower than Prussia’s. Economy largely agricultural, and most of population was involved in rural farming rather than urban industrial development. Austria didn’t join the Zollverein, so trade between the German states wasn’t so profitable for her because of restrictive taxes and customs barriers. Austria didn’t experience an “industrial revolution” anything like as big as Prussia’s.

Austrian decline, cont. Growth of nationalism weakened the A-H empire as subject peoples within it eg the Hungarians and Poles became restless and rebellious. Austria’s army depended on soldiers from its empire, many of whom were ill-equipped, discontented conscripts. Austria’s relationships with other countries esp. Russia and France were poor, so she could not rely on having allies in any future conflict.