The causes of the German revolutions

The Zollverien:

• United Germany economically
• Helped the movement of goods and people
• Isolated Austria economically
• Helped Prussia be seen by the north as the natural leader of Germany

The Railways:

• Cheaper to transport goods
• Made Germans more mobile - breakdown of local and regional barriers
• Encouraged economic activity 

The growth of nationalism 1840-8:

• 1840 seemed France would invade German states along the Rhine - German press encouraged nationalist sentiment - France backed down
• 1846 seemed Danish king was going to incorporate Schleswig-Holstein into his kingdom - Bavarian, Prussian and Austrian leaders spoke against Danish action - Danish king abandoned plans

The growth of liberalism 1840-8:

• 1846 - Baden obtained a relaxation of press cencorship, reforms of the police and judicial system
• Hesse-Darmstadt - strong liberal parliamentary campaigns for changed in electoral rules and for a free press
• Bavaria - King Ludwig replaced conservative ministers with liberal ones
• 1840 - King Frederick William IV became king of Prussia - started off as a liberal monarch by releasing political prisoners, relaxing censorship, allowed Diets to publish their reports

German newspapers:

• Public opinion grew stronger
• 1847…