Before 19th century Germany was divided into over 200 states (prussia and austria largest) and part of Holy Roman Empire
1806 large number of states reduced to 38 and Napoleon established Confideration of Rhine, comprised of only 16 states
each state had own government, taxes, military, still under control of French
Cultural factors
military factors
economic factors
french revolution
defeat of Napoleon
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Cultural Factors
Language-25m spoke same language, shared culture, literature
ideas and thoughts of nationalism shared throughout country, educating the poor better on the matter
music and literature Van Beethoven , Ludwig, Grimm brothers wrote patriotic works
encouraged idea of volskstium, germans were united by history and heritage
composers supported nationalism inspired student societies called Burschenchaften, dedicated to seeing the french driven from german soil and had grown since 'germany's' success in Battle Of Nations in 1813
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Economic factors
population increase from 187m in Europe to 401m in 1900
Important because it presented traditional rulers with problems with governing rapidly expanding areas
Zollverein set up to encourage trade for manufactured goods important because people could transport goods without having to pay taxes. Many states saw the benefit and became closer to other states and spread from state to state
Buisnessmen wanted a more united market to enable them to compete with foreign countries
25 states were members by 1836
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Military Nationalism
Napoleon defeated in 1815, showed working together states would always be reliant on foreign states help if their status be threatened by foreign countries
important since it was felt by Germans that if they fought as a united Germany they would be stronger hence fuelling growth of nationalism
The French Revolution led to a realisation that, individually, the German states were weak.
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French Revolution
arose in 1789 when people in France stood up and demanded social and political freedom
ideas of french rev appealed to middle classes in German states
Napoleon wanted to extend territory by extending into German states which was important because when he invaded, germans were united in their hatred for Napoleon
German princes had stirred national feeling to help raise armies to drive out the French, aiding the sense of a common German identity with common goals.
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Liberalism
throughout Europe new ideas of Liberalsm becoming very popular
Johann Fichte, prominant liberal thinker and german nationalist who advocated that the german states should exist as one united and distinct country who conduct own government and affairs
Important because promoted and encouraged nationalism to many people, many people listened to and trusted him
Many Liberals were middle-class and were also receptive to nationalist ideas.
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Political nationalism
Prince Metternich opposed to political change which would lead to unification.
Metternich passed the Carlsbed decrees and Six Acts to prevent the spread of political nationalism as he was reluctant to loose his authority
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