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Explain why the creation of the German Confederation discouraged the development of German nationalism.

Level

AS Level

Year Examined

2023

Topic

Liberalism and nationalism in Germany, 1815–71

👑Complete Model Essay

Explain why the creation of the German Confederation discouraged the development of German nationalism.

Liberalism and Nationalism in the German Confederation (1815-1871)

Following the Napoleonic Wars and the Congress of Vienna, the German Confederation was established in 1815. Comprised of 39 states, this loose association replaced the defunct Holy Roman Empire. While the Confederation marked a significant decrease from the hundreds of states that existed in the late 18th century, it did not foster a unified German state. In fact, its structure and guiding principles actively discouraged the development of German nationalism. This essay will examine the specific ways in which the German Confederation hindered the rise of a unified German identity.

The Legacy of the Napoleonic Wars and Unfulfilled Aspirations

The Napoleonic Wars, particularly the campaigns against French occupation, ignited a sense of shared German identity amongst many. The so-called "War of Liberation" (Befreiungskrieg) resonated with themes of national unity and self-determination. However, the German Confederation failed to capitalize on this burgeoning nationalism. The Congress of Vienna, orchestrated by conservative powers like Austria, prioritized restoring the balance of power rather than fulfilling the nationalist aspirations ignited during the Napoleonic era.

Structural Limitations and Territorial Disunity

The German Confederation's very structure hindered national unity. Modeled on the defunct Holy Roman Empire, its boundaries were drawn with dynastic interests in mind rather than reflecting any sense of a cohesive German nation. For instance, the Confederation included territories with significant non-German populations like Poles, Czechs, Danes, and French. Conversely, it excluded regions with predominantly German-speaking populations, such as Austria and the German-speaking parts of Prussia. This territorial disunity undermined any sense of a shared national identity.

Domination of Austria and the Suppression of Nationalism

The German Confederation was, in essence, controlled by the Habsburg monarchy of Austria. Austria, a sprawling multi-ethnic empire, saw the rise of German nationalism as a direct threat to its own existence. A unified Germany could potentially incorporate German-speaking areas within the Austrian Empire, leading to its disintegration. Thus, Austria used its influence within the Confederation to quash any movement or sentiment that hinted at a unified German state under a single banner.

The Particularism of German States and Princely Opposition

The German Confederation was plagued by the particularism of its member states. Each of these states, from the larger kingdoms of Prussia and Bavaria to the smaller duchies and principalities, jealously guarded its sovereignty and autonomy. The rulers of these states were deeply resistant to any notion of unification that would require them to cede power to a central authority. A unified Germany, after all, would necessitate a single monarch, leaving the other princes without thrones. This inherent resistance to relinquishing power proved to be a significant obstacle to the development of German nationalism.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the German Confederation, while a step towards reducing political fragmentation, ultimately acted as a significant obstacle to the development of German nationalism. Its structure, born out of conservative anxieties and a bygone era, failed to reflect the growing desire for a unified German nation. The dominance of Austria, the territorial inconsistencies, and the vested interests of individual German rulers all contributed to an environment that stifled any meaningful progress towards German unification. The Confederation, therefore, served less as a stepping stone and more as a stumbling block on the path to a unified Germany. It would take the leadership of Prussia, fueled by different ideological currents, to eventually overcome these obstacles and forge a unified German state later in the 19th century.

Bibliography

Blackbourn, David. <i>The Long Nineteenth Century: A History of Germany, 1780–1918</i>. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.

Sperber, Jonathan. <i>The European Revolutions, 1848–1851</i>. New Approaches in European History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1994.

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The German Confederation and the Stifling of Nationalism
This essay explores the reasons why the creation of the German Confederation in 1815 discouraged the development of German nationalism. Despite the widespread enthusiasm for unification in the wake of the War of Liberation, the Confederation, rather than promoting unity, ultimately served to entrench the existing power structures and stifle nationalist aspirations.

The Confederation's Structure and its Impact
The Confederation itself was a loose association of 39 sovereign states, a far cry from a single unified Germany. This fragmented structure, modelled on the Holy Roman Empire, prioritized the interests of individual states over any conception of a shared German identity. Its boundaries, drawing on historical divisions rather than ethnic or linguistic lines, included populations of Poles, Czechs, Danes, and French while excluding significant German-speaking areas, further undermining the foundation of a unified national identity.

The Confederation as an Instrument of Conservative Power
The Confederation reflected the concerns of the individual rulers, who were unwilling to surrender their power to a unified German state under a single monarch. Their fear of a centralized state, and the resulting loss of their authority, effectively thwarted any significant progress towards unity. Austria, in particular, played a dominant role in the Confederation. Seeing nationalism as an existential threat to its sprawling empire, Austria actively discouraged any movement towards German unification, further hindering the development of a unified German national consciousness.

The War of Liberation and the Disillusionment of Nationalism
Despite the surge in nationalist sentiments during the War of Liberation against Napoleon, the Confederation's creation ultimately served to disillusion many Germans. The Confederation's focus on maintaining the status quo, rather than embracing the ideals of unity and national self-determination, left many feeling betrayed and alienated. Their hopes for a unified Germany were dashed, replaced by a sense of frustration and disillusionment.

Conclusion
The creation of the German Confederation, far from fostering German nationalism, actively discouraged its development. Its fragmented structure, its focus on maintaining the power of individual states, and the dominant role of Austria, all combined to create an environment that was hostile to the growth of a unified German identity. This ultimately paved the way for the later emergence of a more radical and militant form of German nationalism.

Extracts from Mark Schemes

Why the Creation of the German Confederation Discouraged the Development of German Nationalism

Whilst the German Confederation consisted of 39 states, far fewer than the hundreds which existed in the late 18th. century, there was no single unified German state.

The war against Napoleon, referred to as the War of Liberation, had raised nationalist feelings throughout the German states. However, the German Confederation reflected a lack of interest in, and no concern for, promoting a united Germany.

Its boundaries were modelled on those of the Holy Roman Empire rather than ones that would encourage the development of a unified German state. Thus, it contained areas containing Poles, Czechs, Danes and French but excluded areas which were largely German speaking.

It reflected the concerns of the rulers of the separate states, none of whom wanted to give up their power – a unified German state only needed one prince.

It was dominated by Austria who saw nationalism as an existential threat to its empire.

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