explain the impact and importance of the railroads in the unification of germany
Explain the impact and importance of the railroads in the unification of Germany
Germany, during the two decades of the first major railroads being built, was separated into three-dozen individual states. The railroads provided an opportunity for those states to merge into a united country. This was accomplished through a unified trading system, linking the industrial cities, uniting Western and Eastern Prussia, delivering a more effective structure to law and order and competition between states and private companies.
During the early development of the railway a unified system of national trade had to be put into place as agricultural towns were connected to cities, which were subsequently linked to other cities. Berlin, for example, was connected to the suburban farmlands, which later connected to the city of Magdeburg. These connections can be seen as both an advantage and a disadvantage to the unification of Germany. This is due to the fact that the newly available fresh meat and produce would contribute to the creation of a united healthier people, however, this could be paid with currency that was of significantly less value than the rival states.
Furthermore, the linking of the industrial cities such as Leipzig and Dresden contributed considerably to the unification of Germany. The linking of such cities provided both a trade of manufactured goods and the transportation of citizens and mail. This meant that citizens within adjacent states no longer had to be ‘tied to the land’ but were free to move between cities whilst still being connected to their families. The increasing distribution of manufactured goods such as food, jewelry, furniture and later automobiles would create equality of the standard of living throughout Germany.
In addition, the railroads were not only beneficial because of trade. The link between cities that were more that 200km apart meant that a more effective system of law and order could be established. A police force
Germany, during the two decades of the first major railroads being built, was separated into three-dozen individual states. The railroads provided an opportunity for those states to merge into a united country. This was accomplished through a unified trading system, linking the industrial cities, uniting Western and Eastern Prussia, delivering a more effective structure to law and order and competition between states and private companies.
During the early development of the railway a unified system of national trade had to be put into place as agricultural towns were connected to cities, which were subsequently linked to other cities. Berlin, for example, was connected to the suburban farmlands, which later connected to the city of Magdeburg. These connections can be seen as both an advantage and a disadvantage to the unification of Germany. This is due to the fact that the newly available fresh meat and produce would contribute to the creation of a united healthier people, however, this could be paid with currency that was of significantly less value than the rival states.
Furthermore, the linking of the industrial cities such as Leipzig and Dresden contributed considerably to the unification of Germany. The linking of such cities provided both a trade of manufactured goods and the transportation of citizens and mail. This meant that citizens within adjacent states no longer had to be ‘tied to the land’ but were free to move between cities whilst still being connected to their families. The increasing distribution of manufactured goods such as food, jewelry, furniture and later automobiles would create equality of the standard of living throughout Germany.
In addition, the railroads were not only beneficial because of trade. The link between cities that were more that 200km apart meant that a more effective system of law and order could be established. A police force