Germany 1792-1815

Question 1

The Holy Roman Empire

Answer 1

• Founded in 800
• Included many Non-Germans
• Emporer was elected by the Council of Electors
• By 1800 the HRE was politically fragmented with a population of 13 million in 314 independent territories
• Many princes tried to model themselves on Louis XIV (1638-1715)
  
  • Copies of Versailles were built (ie Potsdam)
• Political disunity of the Empire was matched by the economic disunity
  
  • 90%of the population earned their living through agriculture
  • by 1790 there were 1,800 custom barriers across the Empire
  • 136 ecclesiastical territories, 173 seculars, 85 free or imperial cities
• Serfdom continued to exist east of the river Elbe, while the peasantry in the western territories were burdened by rent and tithes.
• The success of the guilds ensured that there was little industrial development
• March 1792: 24 year old Francis II (1768-1835) was elected Holy Roman Emporer

Question 2

Prussia and the French Revolution

Answer 2

• Prussia and Austria were concerned about the influence of the French Rev on the states of the HRE.
• 1792: Austria demanded the liberation of the Royal family
• 1792: French victory at the battle of Valmy
• France invade back into HRE following Austro-Prussian invasion
  
  • Took Frankfurt
  • by 1973 France had Driven Prussian and Austria out of their territory
• 1795: France made peace with Prussia
• 1795: the Netherlands annexed by France
• 1797: Treaty of Campo-Fornio: Negotiated by Napoleon, Gave Belgium to France, Austria received Venice, Salzburg and parts of Bavaria, Prussia would not be compensated.

Question 3

Confederation of the Rhine, The Rheinbund

Answer 3

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