GERMAN UNIFICATION 1848-1871

Influences There were different elements to be considered in German Unification. The most important were: -The impact of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic invasions -The Romanticism, nationalism and liberalism -The economic integration.

French Revolution´s impact After 1815 Prussia's initial defeats by Napoleonic France demonstrated the need for administrative, economic and social reforms. The reforms were the following: -professionalize the military -industrialize within the Prussian framework -land reforms to finish the junkers monopoly.

Ideology Romanticism was a cultural movement that underlined the German spirit. Revolutions expanded the ideas of the liberalism. Nationalism appeared as a combination of cultural, historic, religious and political aims.

Economic integration One of the problems of the area was that due to the number of borders between the states, commercial relations were difficult. In 1834 the Zollverein or customs confederation began. The economic innovation led to the middle classes asking for further political rights. The development of a strong industrial base created an important middle class and reinforced the nationalist movement.

Chronology 1834 Founding of the German Customs Union. 1848 Revolution ending in the dissolution of the Prussian National Assembly. 1849 Campaign for a constitution for the Reich in several territories. 1850 Implementation of the Prussian Constitution. 1861 Founding of the German Progress Party. 1862 Bismarck became Prime Minister of Prussia

Chronology 1863 Founding of the General German Workers Association 1864 Prussian-Austrian victory over Denmark: Unification of the Northern States. 1866 War between Prussia and Austria: dissolution of the German Confederation. 1870-71 Franco-German War. 1871 Founding of the German Empire with Bismarck as Reich Chancellor and William I as Emperor.