1. The German Confederation (1815‒1848)
After Napoleon s defeat, the Congress of Vienna (1815) created the German Confederation
(Deutscher Bund) of 39 states dominated by Austria. Metternich s aim was to preserve
conservative order and suppress liberal or nationalist change. The Bundestag at Frankfurt had little
executive power and primarily maintained the status quo.
2. Growth of Liberalism and Nationalism
Liberalism sought constitutional governments, civil rights, and parliaments; nationalism sought
unity based on shared German culture. Movements like the Burschenschaften and the Wartburg
Festival (1817) spread nationalist ideas. Metternich responded with the Carlsbad Decrees (1819),
imposing censorship and repression, stalling progress for decades.
3. Economic Change and the Zollverein (1834)
Industrialization encouraged economic unity. The Zollverein, led by Prussia, abolished internal
tariffs and excluded Austria, strengthening Prussia s dominance. This economic alliance fostered
a sense of common German identity and laid the groundwork for political unity.
4. 1848 Revolutions and Frankfurt Parliament
The 1848 revolutions, inspired by events in France, demanded liberal constitutions and unification.
The Frankfurt Parliament attempted to create a united Germany but failed when Frederick William
IV refused the crown. The failure showed liberalism s weakness and the need for power-based
solutions.
5. Prussia
s Ascendancy (1850‒1862)
After 1848, Austria weakened while Prussia industrialized and reformed its army under von Roon
and von Moltke. The political crisis between King Wilhelm I and parliament over military reforms
led to the appointment of Otto von Bismarck as Minister-President in 1862.
6. Bismarck and the Unification of Germany (1862‒1871)
Bismarck pursued Realpolitik̶practical power politics. His unification strategy involved three
wars: Danish War (1864), Austro-Prussian War (1866), and Franco-Prussian War (1870‒71).
Victories in these conflicts united Germany under Prussian leadership, culminating in the
proclamation of the German Empire in 1871 at Versailles.
7. Results and Consequences
Germany was unified under Prussian monarchy and conservative authority. Liberalism s ideals
were sacrificed for militarism and Realpolitik. Economically, unification accelerated industrial
growth. Europe s balance of power shifted̶France weakened, Austria excluded, and Germany
emerged dominant.
8. Key Historians and Interpretations
A.J.P. Taylor argued 1848 was a turning point when history failed to turn. William Carr
highlighted the Zollverein s importance, while Jonathan Steinberg emphasized Bismarck s
manipulation of events. David Thomson noted that liberalism lacked mass support, allowing
conservative nationalism to triumph.
Summary for Revision
Between 1815 and 1871, Germany transitioned from a loose confederation under Austrian control
to a unified empire under Prussia. Liberal and nationalist ideals initially failed due to conservative
repression, but Prussia s economic power and Bismarck s Realpolitik ultimately achieved
unification through war rather than democracy.