Economic Factors and the Role of Liberals

Economic developments and liberal thought were significant drivers of German nationalism in the 19th century:

Economic factors:

• Massive population growth and urbanization occurred between 1815 and 1855.
• Improved transportation, especially railways, facilitated trade between states.
• The German economy became the second largest in Europe, demonstrating the benefits of cooperation.

Highlight: The growth of the economy after the building of railways showed that cooperation could benefit different states, boosting nationalist sentiments.

Role of liberals:

• Liberal thinkers spread nationalist ideas through universities and publications.
• However, these ideas were primarily accessible to the wealthy and educated middle class.
• Working-class Germans were often more concerned with social reforms than national unification.

Example: Liberal thinkers attending universities and publishing works on nationalism demonstrated a strong desire for a unified Germany among certain segments of the population.

Vocabulary: Liberals in this context refers to those advocating for political and social reforms, including national unification.

These factors collectively contributed to the growth of German nationalism, laying the groundwork for the eventual unification of Germany later in the 19th century. The interplay of cultural, economic, and political forces shaped the German nationalist movement, though its impact varied across different social classes and regions.