Germany was never united in the period from 1789 to 1919. How far do you agree with this view?

This essay will explore the extent to which Germany was united in the period from 1789 to 1919. It will argue that despite the presence of significant divisions and obstacles, there were also unifying forces at work during this period.

Arguments Supporting the View that Germany was Not United:

• Cultural Divisions: The north and south of Germany had distinct cultural identities. The north was predominantly Protestant and had a strong tradition of Prussian militarism, while the south was Catholic and more influenced by Austrian Habsburg culture. These cultural differences contributed to a lack of national cohesion.

• Religious Divisions: The religious divide between Protestant Prussia and Catholic Bavaria and Austria further contributed to fragmentation. The Protestant north saw the Catholic south as inherently different and even threatening, particularly in the context of the Prussian drive for dominance.

• Fear of Prussian Domination: Many southern states, especially Bavaria and Austria, feared Prussian domination. They resisted Prussian attempts to unify Germany under its leadership, fearing the loss of their own independence and cultural identity.

• Klein/Gross Deutsch Debate: This debate centered on whether Austria should be included in a unified Germany (Grossdeutsch) or excluded (Kleindeutsch). This debate reflected deep divisions about the nature and composition of a German nation, with some arguing for a broad, multi-ethnic empire centered on Austria, while others advocated for a more unified, centralized Germany excluding Austria.

• Growing Support for Socialism: The rise of socialism in the late 19th century contributed to political fragmentation. Socialists often challenged the existing power structures and advocated for a more radical restructuring of society. This challenged the traditional nationalist discourse and reinforced divisions between different political factions.

• Early Nationalism Limited to Middle Class: Early nationalist movements were primarily limited to the middle class. This meant that the vast majority of the German population, including peasants and workers, did not share the same nationalist aspirations, further limiting the scope of unity.

• Austria's Role: Austria's position as a major power in Central Europe, with its own diverse population and imperial ambitions, complicated the process of German unification. Austria's resistance to Prussian dominance and its own desire for a German-speaking empire created a significant obstacle to German unity.

Arguments Challenging the View that Germany was Not United:

• Common Hatred of France: A shared hatred of France provided a powerful unifying force for the German states. The Napoleonic Wars and French occupation of German lands had fostered a sense of shared German identity, motivating a desire for unity against a common enemy.

• Wars of the 1860s: The wars of the 1860s, orchestrated by Prussia under Otto von Bismarck, led to the unification of most of Germany. These wars, particularly the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, created a shared sense of victory and national pride, contributing to the sense of unity.

• Unity at the Start of WWI: The outbreak of World War I in 1914 saw an initial surge in German unity, with the majority of the population rallying behind the flag. This sense of national unity was fueled by a shared belief in German superiority and a desire to achieve Germany's 'place in the sun' on the global stage.

• Support for a 'Place in the Sun': The desire for a "place in the sun" on the world stage, meaning economic and political power, was a unifying factor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This shared desire for a more powerful and assertive Germany pushed aside some internal divisions.

• Hatred for the Treaty of Versailles: After World War I, the humiliation of the Treaty of Versailles created a widespread sense of resentment among Germans. This shared resentment at the perceived injustices imposed by the victors fostered a sense of collective national identity and a desire for revenge, further unifying Germans against a common enemy.

• Cultural Unity: Despite cultural differences, there were also shared cultural elements that contributed to a sense of German identity. The rise of Romantic nationalism in the 1820s and 1830s, for example, emphasized a shared German language, history, and literature.

• Economic Unity: The Zollverein, a customs union established in 1834, facilitated economic cooperation and integration among the German states. This economic unity contributed to a growing sense of shared interests and common purpose among the German people.

• Growing Popular Nationalism: Towards the end of the period, there was a growing wave of popular nationalism, driven by factors such as industrialization, urbanization, and mass education. This popular nationalism, fueled by a shared sense of identity and national pride, further contributed to the unity of the German people.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while there were undoubtedly significant divisions and obstacles that prevented a complete and homogenous unity in Germany from 1789 to 1919, there were also unifying forces at work. The shared experience of the Napoleonic Wars, Prussian leadership, economic integration, and the desire for a place on the world stage all contributed to a sense of German unity. Ultimately, the question of whether Germany was truly united during this period depends on the criteria used to define unity. While complete homogeneity and nationalistic fervor were not consistently present, there was a growing and evolving sense of shared identity and purpose that ultimately led to the establishment of a unified German Empire in 1871.