Samantha

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 * Explain how Prussia extended her influence over the German states during the period 1815-1848.    **======

 During the years of Germanic unity, only Prussia had prevailed and had become the most powerful state within the German Empire. It was apparent that Prussia had become the most influential states within Germany within the period of 1815-1848 as a result of the concepts of Nationalism and Liberalism, Political, Social and most importantly economic factors. Prussia’s willingness to modernise thus creating change within Germanic Boarders had pleased the majority providing Prussia’s superiority over all German states.  Prussia had helped form many economic developments during the period of 1815-1848, its willingness to new and modern ideas had dramatically influenced the introduction of the Zollverein, influenced freedom of trade, and most importantly, the development of the railways within Prussia. The Zollverein is a Trade union agreement made by Prussia on January 1st 1834 which aimed to abolish further taxes to imported goods from each state and dimishing tariffs. This had been the most significant economic development. Prussia’s willingness to abort internal tariff areas had influenced free trade within the Germanic Confederation and had promoted competition and financial collateral for all existing German states. This was a key reason that had contributed greatly to Prussia coming extremely independent from Austria. The development of railways was a crutial and important factor to Prussia’s influence and power over the German States. The first railway was introduced by Prussia within the 1835, slowly linking all German states together. This then played an important role to Prussia’s later wins within the Austro-Prussian and war against Denmark by transporting Prussian solders efficiently to where they were needed. To a great extent Prussia’s willingness to modernise had made Prussia become the most influential state within Germany within the period of 1815-1848 because of the significant economic developments.  Prussia had been greatly influenced by strong Political factors that had provided them with the strength to manipulate the majority to want Prussian leaders to be the most superior nation during the period of 1815-1848. The triumph in Prussia was in 1848 when the idea of unity was possessed by various citizens as a result greatly impacted on the revolution to collapse during March 1848. This therefore made the King of Prussia to withdraw Prussian surrender that he had made during the beginning of the revolution and had restored his absolute authority. Another main strength that influenced Prussian superiority was the argument of the introduction of the Sovereignty of the people. Many German State leaders disregarded this concept as the power of the king was dismissed and therefore given to the citizens. Prussia was one who believed that this concept would create much disruption and corruption to the unification of Germany therefore introducing the important Prussian Constitution which was written in late 1848. This had played a significant impact to the restoration of the absolute power of the king. This Document was written at the end of the revolution within Prussia by the Royal decree which significantly improved Prussian’s power and superiority above all other nations. Also, a key reason to Prussian influence is the introduction of the Zollverein. By the formation of this in 1834, the smaller states were more dependent on Prussia rather than Austria leading to Austrian decline and its influence over German states. To a great extent Prussia became the most influential state within Germany within the period of 1815-1848 because of the political factors which led to the significant economic developments.  Prussia was the majority’s choice to whom was the most influential German state within the period 1815-1848 importantly resulting in the Social Factors. A key reason in Prussian influence is the introduction of the Zollverein in 1815 making a power-shift between Austria to Prussia. This had put much pressure on the smaller states to join Prussia’s leadership. The Zollverein was implemented by Prussia and was in everyone’s best interest to join Prussia to gain the Zollverein rewards thus allowing free trade along with each nation. Importantly, Prussia became the most influential state within Germany within the period of 1815-1848 because of the social factors which resulted to the significant economic developments.  The failure of Nationalism and Liberalism was again, another factor which influenced Prussia to become the most influential state within Germany in 1815-1848. Firstly, the failure of liberalism resulted in a positive manner influencing the Carlsbad degrees in 1816-1819. With the persuasion from Metternich to which promoted autocratic government, censored media and supervised education had been greatly supported by Prussia because the monarch was reactionary and autocratic. This therefore resulted in the German states producing a series of decrees which would illuminate the Burschenschaften (University students who promoted Liberalism). From this, in 1848 was marked as the year that Liberalism in Germany had officially failed. Secondly, the failure of Nationalism within Germany had begun with the topic of the sovereignty of the people. The citizens of the German states started to question to which their loyalty must they fight for; the monarch or the land/nation. This therefore resulted with individuals being aware of the concept of Nationalism within all German states to which influenced the monarch to believe that Nationalism is a dangerous and subversive idea to which would cause great destruction to the monarch’s power. To a great extent this had been the reasoning why the sovereignty of the people had failed. The failure of Nationalism and Liberalism had created a dramatic effect to Prussia becoming the most influential state within Germany within the period of 1815-1848 to which resulted to the significant economic developments. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 90%; COLOR: rgb(82,82,82); FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 90%; COLOR: rgb(75,68,68); FONT-FAMILY: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif"> Prussia had become the most influential state within Germany within the period of 1815-1848 significantly because of the economic factors. Prussia’s willingness to modernise had resulted in many Social, Political factors to which resulted in the failure of Nationalism and Liberalism. Fundamentally, with all these factors it had produced Prussia to be the most influential and superior states within German states.


 * Great essay Sam =] You answered the question explicitly and effectively in your introduction, outlining your key argument and reasons to be used throughout your essay. For the introduction next timethough, I would probably refer to ALL of the factors contributing to Prussia's expanding influence, and then in the next sentence say which ones were most prominent. (e.g the zolverein, austria's decreasing power, establishment of railways were all factors, however "blabla" AND "blabla" were the most significant). Stating all points - even if they are discussed or not - will give the responder a firm overview of the topic, then a clear idea of what they are prepared to read. Great structure to the body paragraphs also - you had a clear topic sentence, developed your point, then had a concluding sentence which linked back to your main thesis. I also really liked how you mentioned which points overlapped and interrelated (e.g you said "because of the political factors which led to the significant economic developments) - this is good because it shows that you not only explained, yet also synthesised (or showed the relationship between the factors). Excellent use of a wide range of "cause and effect" language too - really assists in moving from the description to explanation stage. Sophisticated language and an extensive vocabulary were also beneficial in creating a sense of flair to your style of writing. Perhaps a bit more body to your conclusion - just to encapsulate and summarise your argument a bit more (i.e restate all points again, perhaps leave with a thought-provoking statement or question?) Really well formulated essay though, I think you have a pretty firm grasp of what is needed! =) -Caitlin **