1. The Growth of Nationalism 1815 - 1850
Despite the obstacles, nationalism did grow between 1815 and 1850 due to:
Cultural Factors
Economic Factors
Political factors

2. 1. Cultural Factors Nationalist societies
Created in the universities- lecturers and groups of students, middle class intellectuals, thinkers
Created because
The 1815 settlement in Vienna made few allowances to liberal and nationalist demands, so groups were created to increase pressure for change.
Eg: Fichte: “Whenever a separate language is found there is also a separate nation which has the right to manage its affairs independently and rule itself.”

3. 1. Cultural Factors 1817 The Wartburg Festival, Saxony.
500 students got together to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the defeat of Napoleon.
Demonstrations against undemocratic government in Germany and Austrian interference in Germany.
Burned books of anti-nationalist authors.
Burned effigy of Metternich
1819 a student murdered anti-liberal writer, Kotzebue

4. 1. Cultural Factors Response of Metternich to Wartburg demos:
The Carlsbad Decrees of (draconian)
Strict censorship of the press introduced in Germany
Student societies suppressed
Political meetings banned
Liberal university teachers sacked
Student leaders imprisoned

5. 1. Cultural Factors The impact of Carlsbad decrees
Suppressed German nationalism and liberalism for 30 years
Emphasised the dominance of Metternich’s Austria

6. 1. Cultural Factors Conclusion
The importance of cultural nationalism in the growth of nationalism
Promoted the idea that there was a common German identity
Was never strong enough to unite Germany
Limited to intellectuals and middle class (low numbers)
Not well organised
No military strength
Did not appeal to the masses (working class)

7. 2. Economic Factors Historiographical note:
Some historians argue economic factors were a major force in unification.
Others argue political factors were more important.
We will look at the economic factors argument first

8. 2. Economic Factors Population growth Growth of towns (urbanisation)
1816 – 25 million
1845 – 34 million
Growth of towns (urbanisation)
1815 only 10% of Germans lived in towns
By 1840s about 30% lived in towns
Growth of industry (industrialisation)
1815 industry made up of small workshops, many still in rural locations.
By 1840s large cotton mills, iron and engineering works appearing

9. 2. Economic Factors
The Zollverein