An evaluation of the reasons for the growth of nationalism in Germany, 1815–50

Question 1

What is cultural nationalism?

Answer 1

The desire of people with shared language, culture, and history to rule themselves.

Question 2

What political system ruled the German states before 1815?

Answer 2

The Holy Roman Empire.

Question 3

How many German states existed at the start of the 19th century?

Answer 3

Around 400.

Question 4

Who reduced the number of German states?

Answer 4

Napoleon.

Question 5

When was Napoleon defeated?

Answer 5

1815, at the Battle of Waterloo.

Question 6

What was established in Germany after Napoleon’s defeat?

Answer 6

The German Confederation of 39 states.

Question 7

What impact did the German Confederation have?

Answer 7

Encouraged the growth of German nationalism.

Question 8

How many people spoke German in the early 19th century?

Answer 8

About 25 million.

Question 9

What cultural factor most united the German people?

Answer 9

A shared German language.

Question 10

Which thinkers encouraged German consciousness?

Answer 10

Heinrich Heine and Johann Fichte.

Question 11

Which composer expressed German pride in music?

Answer 11

Beethoven.

Question 12

What did the Grimm brothers contribute to nationalism?

Answer 12

Folk tales celebrating German history and culture.

Question 13

Why were the Grimm brothers’ stories effective?

Answer 13

They were simple and accessible to those who couldn’t read well.

Question 14

What did Golo Mann say about cultural nationalism?

Answer 14

Most Germans “seldom looked up from the plough” – unaware of national issues.

Question 15

Which social class mostly supported nationalism?

Answer 15

The middle class.

Question 16

Why did early nationalism have limited impact?

Answer 16

It didn’t reach ordinary working-class Germans.

Question 17

What united the German people during the Napoleonic Wars?

Answer 17

A common enemy – the French.

Question 18

What was Napoleon’s Confederation of the Rhine?

Answer 18

A league of 16 German states under French control.

Question 19

When was Napoleon first defeated?

Answer 19

1813, at Leipzig.

Question 20

What effect did the Confederation of the Rhine have?

Answer 20

Increased unification among German states.

Question 21

Why did German states begin to seek unity?

Answer 21

To defend against powerful enemies like Napoleon.

Question 22

What role did German princes play in nationalism?

Answer 22

They stirred national feelings to raise armies.

Question 23

Where did nationalist societies begin to form?

Answer 23

German universities.

Question 24

What ideas inspired German students in 1789?

Answer 24

Liberalism and nationalism from the French Revolution.

Question 25

Why were the Napoleonic Wars important for nationalism?

Answer 25

They gave Germans a shared cause and enemy.

Question 26

What limited political nationalism in Germany?

Answer 26

It was confined to students and professors.

Question 27

What did Rebecca Comay say about France and Germany?

Answer 27

The French Revolution showed how backward feudal Germany was.

Question 28

What did Hagen Schulze say about Napoleon?

Answer 28

He called Napoleon “the real father of the German nation.”

Question 29

What is the significance of urbanisation and industrialisation to unification?

Answer 29

They helped spread nationalism as ideas travelled between states.

Question 30

How did the development of railways impact German unity?

Answer 30

Railways broke down barriers, allowing people and goods to move easily, spreading nationalist ideas.

Question 31

How did population changes affect the spread of nationalism?

Answer 31

Urbanisation and industrialisation helped spread nationalist ideas in cities, but most Germans were still peasants.

Question 32

How did the 1840 census highlight the impact of industrialisation?

Answer 32

It showed only 600,000 factory workers, meaning most Germans were unaffected by industrial changes.

Question 33

What did Napoleon do to the German states between 1800 and 1815?

Answer 33

He conquered them and merged hundreds into 39 states called the German Confederation.

Question 34

Why did the German states realise they were vulnerable?

Answer 34

Because being small and divided made them easy targets for aggressors.

Question 35

How did German Princes use nationalism during Napoleon’s rule?

Answer 35

They stirred up nationalistic feelings to help defeat Napoleon.

Question 36

What did the united German states achieve against Napoleon?

Answer 36

They drove him out, proving strength in unity.

Question 37

How did the Napoleonic Wars impact German nationalism?

Answer 37

They increased nationalistic feelings and belief in unification for defence.

Question 38

What did Napoleon's defeat prove to sceptics?

Answer 38

That German states were militarily stronger together.

Question 39

What was a limitation of Prince support for nationalism?

Answer 39

It was temporary and mainly to protect their own power.

Question 40

What did Liberals believe about how Germany should be governed?

Answer 40

They believed Germany should be run as a parliamentary democracy with elected representatives rather than monarchs.