Tamara

During 1815 to 1848 three fundamental factors occurred which assisted in the ascension of Prussia and its influence over Germany. The and economic, political and factors were vital in the rise of Prussia for example two significant economic factors were the abolishment of internal tariffs and introduction of the Single tariff also known as the Zollverine which were two consequential movements to the lead-up of German unification. Prior to the ascension of Prussia and during the period of The Congress of Vienna Austria and its government was seen to have influential and power over the Germanic Confederation. Nevertheless through the economic factors and as stated earlier the introduction of the Zollverein also known as Prussian Customs Union; this lead to the abolishment of the internal tariffs which generated greater individualism towards Prussia from Austria and extended her influence. With the significant introduction of technological change and improvement on infrastructure this allowed Prussia to modernise and other countries to follow. These were the foundations in which later on Germany would be known as the first ranked country for industrial powers. These foundations include the construction of the first railways, roads and the founding of steel and iron, which would help Prussia rather than Austria be linked and help correlation with the other countries. This factor contributed as it allowed Prussia to become more regnoised and supported by the smaller countries due to its openness and connections along with modernisation and new reforms. The changing role of political power was evidently displayed in 1848; Austria’s influence was altering leaving Prussia to further strengthen leaving states to join the dominant force. In the year of the revolutions whilst Prince Metternich resigned to Foreign Minister Prussia declared to establish a constitution to exercise various political reforms, which occurred under the rule of Frederick William. The members of the Prussian Diet elected members and delegates and created a parliament to draw up a Constitution known as the Frankfurt Parliament. Within this parliament were various debates to exclude Prussia from the German Confederation, which then further highlighted the development and rise of the Prussian government and the fall of the Austrian influence. However in 1848 the end of the revolution was evident in Prussia and the restoration of absolute power of the King occurred. The failure of liberalism in this case further helped the unification of Germany as nationalist views continued to dominate and take precedence over liberalism. Nationalism was seen as a more beneficial concept for Germany to unify as belonging and sharing similar interests in groups rather than just being loyal to the local monarch was seen as important. The belief that the people possessed supreme power in the state rather than the monarch also derived which contributed to the failure of liberalism, which was the belief to promote individual strengths. Nationalism occurred because the German people realised the success of people with a common purpose rather than individuals, which created needs for the other German states to follow. This also contributed and further highlighted Prussia’s influence and its ability to maintain its power and authority over the other countries. It is vital to understand that Prussia was able to influence and extend her powers over the other countries because of the three fundamental factors, which are economic, political and social. These helped for Prussia to stabilise and control its power and influence and for the other countries to regnoise its motivation and openness to change and modernisation.
 * __ Explain how Prussia extended her influence over the German states during the period of 1815- 1848.  __**