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External obstacles to German Nationalism

External obstacles to German Nationalism. Austrian opposition/Prince Metternich If Kleindeutschland created Austria feared Prussia would become a rival power in the north. If Grossdeutschland created, Austria feared it would get drawn into German affairs with no benefits

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External obstacles to German Nationalism

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  1. External obstacles to German Nationalism Austrian opposition/Prince Metternich If Kleindeutschland created Austria feared Prussia would become a rival power in the north. If Grossdeutschland created, Austria feared it would get drawn into German affairs with no benefits Metternich (Austrian Chancellor) was very conservative, anti nationalist, anti unification because the threat these posed to the unity of the Austrian empire whose wealth and power lay with the Hapsburgs, Metternich’s employer!

  2. External obstacles to German Nationalism 2. Opposition from other countries French opposed a united Germany because it could be a new European power on her border which could expand west. Russia also opposed for same reason as France but for expansion east. Either way it could upset the balance of power

  3. Internal obstacles to German Nationalism • 1. Various Rulers • The influence of the privileged members of the ruling classes in the German states. (the “ancien regime”) • The aristocrats who ruled the 39 German states had to defend the system to ensure their own survival. Each state had sovereign powers over its laws, taxes and armed forces.

  4. Internal obstacles to German Nationalism • 2. Religious differences • Protestant Prussia and North German States • Catholic South German States and much of Austria against

  5. Internal obstacles to German Nationalism • 3. Divisions within Nationalists • Gross or Klein Deutschland? • Monarchy or Republic? • Who would be the monarch? • How would they create a Republic ? Who could vote? • What would be in the constitution? • All these issues had to be agreed on and caused argument and indecision

  6. Internal obstacles to German Nationalism • 4. Fear of Prussian domination and military • Largest state of German states. • Becoming more industrial, and rebuilding military strength after French occupation. • A dominant political voice in the Bund. Wants to extend its own power, not really interested in unification, rather ‘prussification’.

  7. Internal obstacles to German Nationalism • 5. Limited appeal of the nationalists Despite the economic and social changes between 1815 and 1862 Germany remained an area where local loyalties remained important for a mainly rural population. Nationalism only appealed to literate people – the growing urban middle classes-”talkers and dreamers with no real plan of action” (McKichan) The peasants and the new urban working classes were not educated enough to see any advantages for them in nationalism.

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