Examine the reasons why Austrian power in Germany was weakened from 1815-1848

Question 1

Rough structure of the essay?

Answer 1

1.) Nationalism - Saw the need to unite Germany xyz
2.) Economic factors like the Zollverein –> Led to Prussian dominance
3.) Revolutions of 1848 –> Positive consequences for the emerging German state

Question 2

Nationalism?

Answer 2

Nationalism: Led to an increasing resentment of Austrian Nationalism –> Nationalism was the movement by which support for a state, which Austria did not want, emerged.

• Oct 1917 - Burschenschaften student at Wartburg Castle near Eisenach
• 1819 - Karl Sand killed conservative August Von Kotzebue, a somewhat controversial playwright from Weimar
• A moreliberal constituion granted in Saxony + Hesse - Cassel
• A new constitution granted in Hanover 1832
• 25 K sutdents marched to the Hambach castle

Question 3

Perspectives of Nationalism?

Answer 3

Nationalism was no way near strong enough to have any material effect in the decline of Austrian power

• Yes, there was a march at the Hambach Castle BUT King of Bavaria sent troops and ringleaders were arrested
• Princes, after this, agrreed to pass the repressive Six articles demanded by Austria (and then the Ten Acts) –> prevented Parliament assemblies
• Carlsbad Decrees of 1820 - Another piece of evidence at stopping Nationalism
• As seen above –> Nationalism never had an ACTUAL effect

Question 4

Economic factors?

Answer 4

• The ZV (Biggest Austrian Mistake)
• This laid the foundation for Prussian + Micro German state development -> Laid the foundations for Unification
• Railway building (in Pr) planned in ‘32
• ‘38 –> Wider Railway Projects –> Supported by the crown prince
• ‘41-‘47 –> Netwrok grew 375 –> 2325
• ‘47 Prussia owned 56% of all railways in Germany
• Provided the basis for military spending –> ‘48 Needle gun invented by Dreysel –> Could fire 5x faster than normal rifles

Question 5

Perspectives on Economic factors?

Answer 5

• Really the same as the causes critique
• Did the ZV acc have a great to Ger Unification?

2 ways to attack this claim

• Pr dominance really wasn’t dominance –> 1866 Aus - Pr (most ZV states backed Austria?!)

Question 6

The Revolutions of 1848

Answer 6

There were positive consequences for ppl pro Ger Un

-The national assembly in Frankfurt was composed of 583 delegates, including 58 women.

• Revolutions –> political clubs and associations: 1848, there were over 1,500 political clubs in the country, with a total membership of around 300,000 people.
• 1850 law passed abolished serfdom + granted peasants greater freedom to choose their own occupations and move about the country.

Question 7

General Austrian Weakness?

Answer 7

• Burden of maintaining a strong military force (economically) –> Took 35% of its annual budget
• David Blackbourn, “Austrian government was running a large budget deficit”
• Austrian Government inefficency –> Some decisions in the imperial ruling council
• Emperor Ferdinand ‘35 seens as mentally deficient did not command respect

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