Transcript The Effects of Migration and Empire on Scotland to 1939

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