jess

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

The most significant factor, which gave Prussia the ability to extend her influence over the German states during the nineteenth century, was that of economics. Primarily, through the creation of the Zollverine and her open mindedness to undertake modern infrastructure, Prussia gained enough dominance to influence her surrounding states and thus, become the foremost contributor to the eventual unification of Germany. However, it was not from economic factors alone, which saw the swell of Prussia’s influence. Social forces for change, which predominantly included the movements of liberalism and nationalism, along with political factors, also played a slightly less important role.

Austria and Prussia had been the leading states in the German Confederation at the conclusion of the ‘Congress of Vienna’ between 1814 and 1815. As a result of this top hierarchical position, both of their economies advanced to a great extent, with Austria proving to be the more powerful of the two. However soon this status was rapidly turned around, due to the contrast in attitudes Prussia and Austria maintained towards the theory of modernising in order to move forward. Austria had a policy, as stated in //Germany, 1815-1848//, ‘to resist all ideas and movements that threatened the rule of the kings and princes over their domains, particularly in the German state.’ Prussia, on the other hand, was accepting of innovation and this proved to be at her advantage. The most considerable economic modification she made, was with the unifying of the German Customs Union or the creation of the Zollveriene, in 1834. Up until this point, all the state in the German Confederation had attempted to keep authority by exercising their impervious right of state sovereignty. Thus each and every separate entity had different tax and tariff laws in place at their borders. Consequently, trade became tedious and very difficult between the states, as slowly, each independent economy’s circular flow of income, became noticeably weaker. This imbalance led to Prussia recognising that something needed to be changed in order to progress. Her decision was, to see the abolishment of most of her customs and tariffs. Although it was seen as perilous and dramatic by most, this pronouncement encouraged almost complete free trade between Prussia and her surrounding states; it was a situation where her economy was nearly solely based on a ‘lassiez faire’ structure. The other states had never considered this amendment, as it the outcome was seen to be the inevitable destruction of that individual states economy. Despite this belief, Prussia’s decision generated interest from the other German states as they would individually benefit from being involved. Subsequently, large numbers sought to be included into the newly founded customs amalgamation; all except for the opposing views held by the Austria-Hungarian empire. As a result of their stubbornness to change, the smaller German states found no self-advantaging reasons to ally with Austria any longer, and thus, turn towards Prussia instead. Not only did Prussia open its door to a more free trade system, it also undertook many adjustments to infrastructure which strengthened her economic stability. Between 1815 and 1848 the Prussian citizens saw the introduction of main roads, extensive railways systems, and significant improvements in communications. These enhancements shaped the beginnings of the industrial revolution, which in turn, led to most of the population of Prussia being employed in industries such as engineering, textile mills and iron and steel works. Modernisation allowed Prussia to become more closely connected with the surrounding German states and, and along with the creation of the Zollverine, led to her becoming the leading state. This in turn, gave her the ability to extend her influence throughout the German Confederation.

With the sound economy Prussia had built up over the 1800’s, political factors only added to her influencing the surrounding states. For one, she had strong, dedicated individuals such as Otto Von Bismarck, who made political decisions, which were in the states best interests. These leaders were willing to do anything necessary in order to allow Prussia to reach her goal of dominance within the German Confederation. The drive of these leaders was in complete contrast to that of the Austrian’s, as they, such as Prince Ferdinand and the foreign minister Metternich, were later labelled by historian Adam Powell, as ‘feeble minded’ and conservative individuals. Thus, as a result of their personalities, they were both not accepting, nor capable to keep up with Prussia’s continuity of innovation and this caused them to be set with a severe disadvantage. In spite of the signing of the ‘Carlsbad Decrees’ in 1819, Bismarck, the Prussian, realised that keeping the current political structure would be of no assistance in attaining greater power for Prussia. Thus, in 1848 he created a national assembly, named the Frankfurt Parliament, which would attempt to meet the publics pressure to unify the German states. However this legislative body also, did not last a long period of time, as surrounding states armies suppressed the voices and interests of liberalists, taking with it the Frankfurt Parliament. All the achievements, which stemmed from this parliament in the months before, were abolished in every state and monarchs continued their autocratic rule. Nevertheless, the King of Prussia, Frederick William, took his restoration back to power, as an opportunity to initiate limited political reform and issue a new constitution. The introduction of this constitution gave Prussian citizens some sort of political relief, as they believed they were gaining more individual freedoms, yet it also allowed the monarch to feel confident as they continued to have a strong hold of power over their state. This political reform was reflected by many of the other German states and thus, explains how Prussia sustained and extended her influence over the Confederation. With the addition of all these political factors, it is evident to see why Prussia became the most dominant state during the 19th century and therefore lead to the eventual unification of Germany.

However, before the introduction of newly formed constitutions throughout the German states, and subsequent to the Congress of Vienna, there was a rapid growth in the movement of liberalism. The term “sovereignty of the people” began to circulate, allowing individuals to become aware of the rights they were entitled to. As a result of this knowledge, individuals were willing to put up a fight against the monarchs, to achieve and thus arose societies called Burschenschaften. Between 1816 and 1819 these groups of university students, began to agitated political liberal reform within the German Confederation. Their lobbying was mostly peaceful, however by 1819 Burschenschaften were beginning to become quite prevailing in their efforts, causing authorities in the German states to develop concerns. As a result of this apprehension, the Austrian foreign minister, Metternich called a meeting, which resulted in the signing of the ‘Carlsbad decrees’. This, consequently dissolved the Burschenschaten and all liberalist aspirations. In spite of this suppression, there continued to be a strong public call for a democratic system to emerge within the German Confederation with the citizens wanting to unify. Although the states authorities eventually repressed the liberalist movements in the 1848 revolutions, it can be argued that the nationalistic attitudes which arose from liberalism, was in fact, one of the causes of the prompt failure of the movement. This idea is clearly outlined by the German historian Koppel S. Pinson, in his //Modern Germany//, as he writes “..the first concern of all the liberal elements in Germany, the means of attaining unity..were to become much more significant..then concern for liberal constitutional and social institutions..” Pinson is highlighting the principle, that the monarchs used nationalism to their advantage, as they attempted to stifle society into believing that rights of the state were of far greater importance then those of the individual. As a result of this manipulation, Prussia was able to satisfy the wants of the people through the creation of the constitutional monarchy, while still tightly holding on to its sense of nationalism, which would later prove to constitute to the greatest war the world had ever seen. For that reason, society’s forces of change, allowed Prussia to continue to inflate her power and widen her influence over the surrounding states of the German Confederation.

Therefore, it can be seen that a number of different factors played a role in building Prussia’s ability to extend her influence over the German states during the nineteenth century. The slight contribution of influential, dedicated leaders, who oversaw political reforms, in addition with the ambitious drive of society’s push for change, saw Prussia become the foremost state in the eventual unification of Germany. However, it was mostly due to economic developments, including the creation of the Zollveriene, that saw Prussia attained her goal of becoming the most dominant of all the German states between the years of 1815 and 1848. . 

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**Your essay overall is excellent as it consistently links back to the original question with the use of a very detailed context; this has been successfully completed as it allows the reader to have an insightful knowledge and understanding of how the surrounding context during this period of time contributed to the above factors. You have also used a range of other sources that makes your argument stronger and convincing. It also flows quite smoothly I may add and your introduction likewise with your conclusion are strong .The only criticism I have Jess is that some sentences were a tad long otherwise a really persuasive argument, well done =]** Irene ======

How was the idea of liberalism suppressed in the German states between 1815 and 1848?

1.	liberalism during the 19th century

2.	role of liberalism in light of; economic developments, social developments, political developments, nationalism and the decline of Austro - Hungarian Empire

3.	HOW liberalism was suppressed—through what means did ^ the above factors cause the failure of liberalism

4.	It would probably be discuss or explain? So you should put the for’s and against’ for each umbrella point and then discuss it using examples

5.	ANSWER: the movement of liberalism was suppressed in the German states between 1815 and 1848, as a result of a number of different factors. These included the wide spread social and economic developments of the time and the great fear individual people held as a result of the loss of power from the monarchs already held autocratic rule. However all these minor factors which directly suppressed liberalism as a force in society, stemmed from the most significant, which was the manipulation of nationalism by the monarch.

6.	one historians point of view is German historian Koppel S. Pinson, in his Modern Germany, as he writes “..the first concern of all the liberal elements in Germany, the means of attaining unity..were to become much more significant..then concern for liberal constitutional and social institutions..” Pinson is highlighting the principle, that the monarchs used nationalism to their advantage, as they attempted to stifle society into believing that rights of the state were of far greater importance then those of the individual. As a result of this manipulation, Prussia was able to satisfy the wants of the people through the creation of the constitutional monarchy, while still tightly holding on to its sense of nationalism, which would later prove to constitute to the greatest war the world had ever seen.

7.	first para: the widespread social and economic developments (mostly throughout Prussia and Austria)

second para: fear of loss of autocratic rule by the monarchs which resulted in them - burschentaguan - authority and stubbourness of Austria who shaped every other state into believing that change was bad - failure of the 1848 revolutions -down fall of Frankfurt parliament

third para: most significant factor which was the manipulation of what society perceived as nationalism. After the 1848 revolutions, the monarchs were back in power and the Prussian king began constitutions. This led them not to believe they had a chieved their ultimate goal of individual rights and freedoms, however this was highly artificial. This led them not to attempt to rebel and allowed the monarchs to keep their

Explain how the idea of liberalism was suppressed in the German states between 1815 and 1848? The movement of liberalism rose and fell rapidly within the German states between the years 1815 and 1848. There were a number of contributing factors, which led to the suppression of this dominant collective force. These included changes in the thought pattern society held and the economic developments the monarchs began to introduce. As a result of these factors, political agitations and reforms emerged playing a slight role, however the most significant factor that led to the suppression of liberalism, was the manipulation of nationalism by the autocratic monarchs.

...im confused on how to break up the para graphs and what to put in each?? my main point is that as a result of the fear monarchs held about loosing autocratic power, they manipulated the force of nationalism within society through the use of introducing the constitution. sooo that means that social, political and nationalistic views all come into it but i dont know where to put things and if my most significant factor should be at the beginning or end of my essay because im finding it a bit tricky to talk about the manipulation of nationalism straight away without first discussing the political agitations and reforms ???