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    Unification of Germany

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    There were several factors that both inhibited and favored the unification of Germany in the 19th century. Factors that inhibited unification included the conservative leadership of Prussia and Austria who wanted to maintain the status quo, as well as the independence of smaller German states and religious differences between northern and southern regions. Ideas for how a unified Germany should be structured, such as whether to include Austria, also divided Germans. However, popular German nationalism and the economic cooperation of the Zollverein favored unification. Ultimately, Otto von Bismarck was able to use Prussian military strength to defeat Austria and impose unification from the top down, culminating in the German Empire of 1871 under Wilhelm I.

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    Unification of Germany

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    mak
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    There were several factors that both inhibited and favored the unification of Germany in the 19th century. Factors that inhibited unification included the conservative leadership of Prussia and Austria who wanted to maintain the status quo, as well as the independence of smaller German states and religious differences between northern and southern regions. Ideas for how a unified Germany should be structured, such as whether to include Austria, also divided Germans. However, popular German nationalism and the economic cooperation of the Zollverein favored unification. Ultimately, Otto von Bismarck was able to use Prussian military strength to defeat Austria and impose unification from the top down, culminating in the German Empire of 1871 under Wilhelm I.

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    There were several factors that both inhibited and favored the unification of Germany in the 19th century. Factors that inhibited unification included the conservative leadership of Prussia and Austria who wanted to maintain the status quo, as well as the independence of smaller German states and religious differences between northern and southern regions. Ideas for how a unified Germany should be structured, such as whether to include Austria, also divided Germans. However, popular German nationalism and the economic cooperation of the Zollverein favored unification. Ultimately, Otto von Bismarck was able to use Prussian military strength to defeat Austria and impose unification from the top down, culminating in the German Empire of 1871 under Wilhelm I.

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    59 views1 page

    Unification of Germany

    Uploaded by

    mak
    There were several factors that both inhibited and favored the unification of Germany in the 19th century. Factors that inhibited unification included the conservative leadership of Prussia and Austria who wanted to maintain the status quo, as well as the independence of smaller German states and religious differences between northern and southern regions. Ideas for how a unified Germany should be structured, such as whether to include Austria, also divided Germans. However, popular German nationalism and the economic cooperation of the Zollverein favored unification. Ultimately, Otto von Bismarck was able to use Prussian military strength to defeat Austria and impose unification from the top down, culminating in the German Empire of 1871 under Wilhelm I.

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    05.03.2020 Marc A.

    Küster

    What elements favoured and which factors inhibited the move towards
    German Unification?

    After the Vienna Congress in 1814/15 Germany was divided into many small states, failing to
    fulfil the dream of many Germans, a united Germany.

    There are many reasons, for why Germany was not united. Firstly, Prussia and Austria, the
    two leading states of the Confederation, were conservative and absolutist. They wanted to
    keep everything as it used to be and they did not want normal people gaining any power.
    Also, neither wanted to unite Germany, as it was unclear, who would become the new
    leader. They rather wanted to exist side by side.
    Secondly, the princes and kings of the small states did not want to give up their
    independence, as in that case, they would lose their power.
    Furthermore, Germans did not all belong to the same religion. The north, including Prussia,
    was mostly Protestant and the south, including Austria, was mostly Roman Catholic.
    Lastly, it was unclear, how big Germany should become. There were two different options.
    The first being ‘Kleindeutschland’ (lesser Germany), which would not include every German-
    speaking country, it would exclude for example Austria. The second option for a united
    Germany was the so-called ‘Großdeutschland’ (big Germany), which would include all
    German-speaking countries, even though some had non-Germans living in them.

    But there were also some factors favouring the unification of Germany.
    First of all, a lot of Germans wanted to live in a unified Germany.
    Another element favouring the unification of Germany was the Zollverein. The Zollverein
    was an economic union, which at its peak in 1836 consisted of 25 German states, that had a
    combined population of 26 million people. It strengthened the economies of all ist countries,
    by dismantling all internal custom barriers.

    In 1848/49, during the revolution, there was a new hope of a united Germany. But this
    revolution failed, mainly since the two parties had different opinions, on how Germany
    should be united (Kleindeutschland or Großdeutschland) and on how it should be ruled.

    But then in 1862, Otto von Bismark is named Ministerpresident of Prussia by Wilhelm I.
    Bismark had one main goal: a united Germany. In 1866, the Prussian-Austrian war breaks
    out, which Prussia wins after only one month of battle, due to its military superiority. In
    1871, Germany is united and Wilhelm I is named emperor.

    In conclusion, the unification of Germany was not the result of the revolution, but it rather
    came from the top – promoted by the rich and successful people.

    United Germany

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