Before 1815, the German states were under the dominance of Napoleon, and after that, they were under the control of Austria in the German Confederation. All 39 states had their own responsibilities, but by 1850, German nationalism had grown significantly.
Cultural Factors
All the states spoke the same German language, which encouraged communication and cooperation between states, increasing the chances of a unified Germany. There were many cultural figureheads who helped bring about a cultural awakening in Germany, including Beethoven, Schiller, and Hegel. These figures gave people a sense of German consciousness by showing that they had a common cultural heritage and a proud past.
Economic Nationalism
Germany experienced a huge population growth, which led to many people moving to the cities to find better living and working conditions. Businessmen wanted the states to become closer so that their own businesses could thrive. In 1834, the Zollverein was established, allowing goods, ideas, and people to freely travel across state borders, making trade much easier. This led to the transportation of goods across the Confederation much quicker and created jobs for people.
Impact of French Revolution & Napoleonic Wars
In 1789, the absolutist monarchy was overthrown by the masses in a violent revolution. This gave the German people hope that the same ideas could spread fast to show German princes and kings what the ordinary people wanted. The German people knew that a major factor of Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo was the unification of German troops, which they saw as a victory for Germany, not just for the individual states.
Role of the Liberals
Across German universities, youth associations were set up to give students a place to discuss nationalism and ideas and plan their ways of getting them out into the world. This showed the desire for a unified Germany among the wealthy and educated middle classes.
Military Weakness
German military weakness was illustrated in 1806 when Napoleon invaded with little resistance to create the Confederation of the Rhine. The states would be less vulnerable to another invasion after 1815 if they were more closely unified. This was highlighted in 1840 when a dispute involving France and other European powers resulted in France threatening to expand its border east to the River Rhine, which was Prussian land. By rallying around Prussia to offer support against this potential invasion, it allowed the German states to unite against a common enemy.
