Obstacles To German Unification 1815-1850 Flashcards
When was the German confederation established and when did Germany unify?
Confederation established 1815 didn’t unify till 1871
What groups campaigned for unification during this period, without success?
Liberals, middle class, students and some peasants
What reforms did the middle class support and what reforms did the peasants support?
Middle class supported political reforms where as the peasants supported the social reforms
What was the other thing there was huge division over?
Germany should include Austria (Grossdeutschland) or not (kleindeutschland)
What does divisions amongst nationalists link to?
Link with ‘indifference of the masses’ as peasants were the majority group but many, for different reasons, took significant interest in politics
Is divisions amongst nationalists a main obstacles?
Lack of clear aims undermined any nationalist demands
Real nationalists interest came Friday m middle class - a minority group
How wasn’t divisions amongst nationalists a main obstacle?
Both groups were prepared to work together - as shown in 1848 revolutions
Many peasants also nationalists
Until when, was Austria a dominant political member of the bund?
Until 1848
What did Austria worry would be threatened due to a united Germany?
It would threaten its multi - ethnic empire
What does Austrian strength link to?
Obivious links with religious differences, economic differences and resentment towards Prussia
Numerous states - not just Austria - resented Prussia and unification
How was Austrian strength a main obstacle?
Austria able to block reforms as it had permanent chairmanship of the German confederation
Southern states had to support Austrian wishes due to need for military protection
Frankfurt parliament most successful when Austria was weakened by revolution
How wasn’t Austrian strength a main obstacle?
Opposition to unification was not simply confined to Austria - numerous smaller states also against due to fear over Prussian power
Even Prussians leader, Frederick William was opposed to many political reforms
How many states were in the confederation and what was the problem with this?
There were 39 states and each had their own leader (prince, monarch etc)
A United Germany would only have one leader
What did unification mean for most leaders?
Giving up there power
What does German princes link to?
Resentment towards Prussia due to belief that leader of a United Germany would be from Prussia and dominate the united country
Link with Austrian strength because if Austria wanted unification the smaller states/princes would’ve found it hard to stop them
How was German princes a main obstacle?
State leaders were unprepared to support unification of it would cost them power
State leaders continued to control their armies, giving them influence
How wasn’t German princes a main obstacle?
Apart from Austria and Prussia most state leaders were relatively powerless - if both had wanted unification it would’ve been difficult to stop them
Why did all German states change from being Catholic?
Due to the reformation
How were the religious differences largely split?
North/ south split - northern states ( led by Prussia) were Protestant and southern states ( led by Austria) were Catholic
What does religious differences link to?
Resentment towards Prussia as religion divided Austria/Prussia and a United Germany might have seen Prussia/Protestant dominance
How was religious differences a main obstacle?
Religion often see as a key feature of national identity - differences can undermine nationalism.
Catholic states feared Protestant power in a United Germany
How wasn’t religious differences a main obstacle?
Since 30 years in war in 1600s. Religious differences in German states were minimal
Prussia and Austria were rivals due to power - not religion
What did Prussias control of the Rhineland mean?
It had access to a range of natural resources ( coal, iron, etc) which helped grow its economy
What problems did Austria face
It had little access to natural resources meaning it was far less economically powerful than Prussia