Why Was Germany Unified Under Prussia and Not Austria?
Why was Germany unified under Prussia and not Austria?
I. Introduction
A. Prussia was the foremost country in the unification of Germany
B. Although it may have not been the intent of Prussia to unify Germany, it is certain that Prussia had the greatest amount of influence in German politics
C. Austria was not in a political, economic, or social state to take on such significant role
D. Prussia’s advantages:
a. Almost exclusive German population
b. Leadership more acceptable to German liberals
c. Economic strength, including Zollverein
d. Otto von Bismarck and diplomacy
e. Military, as seen later
E. Simply put, Prussia was in a much better position than Austria
II. Economic strength
A. In 1818, Prussia took the lead by abolishing all tariff barriers within its borders
B. In the next few years, Prussia took the initiative to conclude tariff treaties with neighboring countries
C. In 1834, the Zollverein was established– a union that established free trade among seventeen German states.
D. Remarkable expansion in volume of trade.
E. Undermined the dominant position of the Habsburg monarchy
F. Economic weapons to use in its bid for German leadership.
1. German industrialization took off in the 1850's.
a. Rapid growth of the railroads helps to bind/unify German states politically, economically, and socially.
2. German states had adopted liberal economic policies.
a. *This created an emerging national economic market throughout the German states.
G. The Zollverein, which was the Prussian Customs Union, had gradually expanded since its founding in 1819.
i. By 1834, it included all the major German states except Austria. ii. It helped to create a single German currency and weights and measures and ways of doing business.
1. *So, the Zollverein helped to unite the German business community as well as the German people across the various German states. iii. Prussia claimed to desire Austria's inclusion, but in fact it kept Austria out by
I. Introduction
A. Prussia was the foremost country in the unification of Germany
B. Although it may have not been the intent of Prussia to unify Germany, it is certain that Prussia had the greatest amount of influence in German politics
C. Austria was not in a political, economic, or social state to take on such significant role
D. Prussia’s advantages:
a. Almost exclusive German population
b. Leadership more acceptable to German liberals
c. Economic strength, including Zollverein
d. Otto von Bismarck and diplomacy
e. Military, as seen later
E. Simply put, Prussia was in a much better position than Austria
II. Economic strength
A. In 1818, Prussia took the lead by abolishing all tariff barriers within its borders
B. In the next few years, Prussia took the initiative to conclude tariff treaties with neighboring countries
C. In 1834, the Zollverein was established– a union that established free trade among seventeen German states.
D. Remarkable expansion in volume of trade.
E. Undermined the dominant position of the Habsburg monarchy
F. Economic weapons to use in its bid for German leadership.
1. German industrialization took off in the 1850's.
a. Rapid growth of the railroads helps to bind/unify German states politically, economically, and socially.
2. German states had adopted liberal economic policies.
a. *This created an emerging national economic market throughout the German states.
G. The Zollverein, which was the Prussian Customs Union, had gradually expanded since its founding in 1819.
i. By 1834, it included all the major German states except Austria. ii. It helped to create a single German currency and weights and measures and ways of doing business.
1. *So, the Zollverein helped to unite the German business community as well as the German people across the various German states. iii. Prussia claimed to desire Austria's inclusion, but in fact it kept Austria out by