Why was unification so difficult to achieve between

Why was unification so difficult to achieve between 1815 and 1871? Summary of Chapter 8 of Britain & Scotland Germany by John A. Kerr and James Mc. Gonigle.

�Leaders of states were not keen on the ideas of liberalism and nationalism developing in their states. �Religion prevented a full unification of north and south. �The relationship between Prussia and Austria hindered unification Intro

�Defining exactly what was meant by ‘Germany’. The French reduced the states to 39 in the Confederation of the Rhine. Once the French were defeated and removed, the German rulers reinstated their power in the Congress of Vienna. From this Congress, the German Confederation or Bund was set up, which involved a loose association of the 39 states. Germany after the Napoleonic wars – Obstacles to unification

�The Bund was a disappointment. �It consisted of representatives from the 39 states, nominated by their rulers �Decisions had to be unanimous; very difficult to achieve �Chairmanship given permanently to Austria. (Austria considered to be the main power in the area). Austria was fiercely against unification and liberalism. Obstacles to unification

�Also, Austrian Emperor wanted a very strong empire and did not want to see the creation of a strong Prussia, therefore Austria kept the Bund weak. Obstacles to unification

�Religion – northern states were Protestant and the southern states were Catholic. Prussia Protestant, Austria Catholic. �Therefore, small southern states looked to Austria for protection. Obstacles to unification

�Who should be included in a united Germany? �Grossdeutschland – Austria included �Kleindeutschland – Austria excluded �Thus defining what exactly was meant by ‘Germany’ was a real barrier to unification Obstacles to unification

�The leaders of the 39 states were jealous of each other’s power and position and did not wish to see their own power being lost to a rival. So, they wanted things to remain as they were. Obstacles to unification

�None of the Great Powers (Britain, France and Russia) wanted a strong Germany as this may upset the balance of power. �They were happy to see Germany weak and divided. Obstacles to unification

�Prussia was economically strong and had good natural resources in the Rhine area. �Austria suffered from a lack of resources and lagged behind in industrial development. �Austria was also excluded from the Zollverein. (See Metternich’s concern, p. 105) Obstacles to unification

�Prussia, after 1815, was emerging as the modern efficient state, with a powerful army. Smaller states tended to support Austria as security against powerful Prussia. Obstacles to unification

�France did not want a unified Germany as Napoleon III was looking enviously towards land occupied by southern states. Also, they were not happy about Prussia occupying the Rhine region as France saw that region as their natural boundary ending at the Rhine. �Prussia took the Rhine region as their buffer against the French. Obstacles to unification

�So by 1850, there were many obstacles to unification and people at the time thought it would be a long time before the unification of Germany would happen. �These obstacles were: - Summary

�Defining Germany �Structure of the Bund under Austrian control �Religion �Whether Austria should be included or not �Leaders of the 39 states �Great Powers of Europe �Economic factor Summary