5.2 What the impact of the Congress system on Germany?

Prince Metternich:
- Although Prussia was the big winner from Vienna = not obvious at the
time as Austria’s influence at the Congress was greater
 - Determined to retain Austria’s authority over the German states +
resolved that Germany would not become a political entity but a lose
confederation under Austrian control

Forces Encouraging Change 1815:

Liberalism:
- After French revolution (1815) = increase interest in liberal change 
constitutional rule + right of subjects to participate in gov
- Enthusiasm for a German nation + unity
Economic Growth:
- Whole of EU experienced economic expansion after 1815 (Britain first)
- Increase in:
1. Production techniques + factories
2. Modern farming methods
3. Railways (after 1829)
4. Trade (home + overseas)
Within German Confederation:
- Economic growth shifted the balance of power from Prussia to Austria:
 Prussia Austria
able to grow economically (had predominantly static agricultural
the best resources for industrial areas in its empire
age – metal ore, coal, markets +
technological knowledge) +
transport links improved ties
between Germany’s various
states

- Germany had a rising population with more people living in cities 

growing middle class + well educated = influenced by new ideas =
nationalism?

Forces opposing change in 1815:

1. German Confederation established (1815) by a meeting of the great
powers = any changes would require their agreement  rules of Austria
+ Russia = absolute emperors with large armies = suppress change. Kings
+ princes of Germany more interested in preventing revolution than in
national unity + similar interest to Austria + Russia  nationalism (their
POV) = revolutionary movement + a united Germany would weaken
their independence

2. Congress system used to maintain status quo + supress

liberal/revolutionary activity. Great powers would support any gov that
was overthrown by revolution.

BUT conservative nature of German society + desire of rules to

maintain their independence = limited challenges to the status quo
(in early period after Vienna)

3. Metternich used the meeting of the Great Powers of AUST, PR, RUS,
BR,FR to settle disagreements + stifle revolution
1820 Congress of Troppau  followed outbreak of revolutions in
SP, PORT, PIED,
 Protocol of Troppau = RUS, AUST, PR would act together to restore
any gov overthrown by force (proposed by Metternich)  opposed by
liberals/nationalists that were developing but accepted by countries
rulers = shows how Prussia/Austria opposed nationalist/revolutionist
developments

4. The German confederation was still mainly agricultural + made up of

small towns = conservative traditional peasantry  not same affect in
Paris by French Revolution

German Confederation was used to local traditions + acted as a

force for conservatism:
Prussia + Brandenburg
Hanover (smaller state)
South/West 
separated from North
- Strong military traditions
- Respect for authority
- Heroic figures = militaristic kings like Great
Elector + Frederick the Great
- The Prussian Junkers (nobles) =
considerable influence in East + were
conservative monarchists
- Distrust of Prussia
- Tradition of links with other countries
- Religious difference
- Roman Catholic Bavaria = closer in culture
to Austria
- Rhineland = cultural links with Catholic
France than Protestant Prussia
- Centuries of division had entrenched
loyalties to local rulers
- The four free cities of northern Germany
guarded their municipal independence
fierce fully = little wish to be ruled by kings
+ princes
- Linguistic differences

5. National unity = associated with French rule = unpopular + resented in

Germany (more than Italy)  Napoleon Bonaparte = (Germany POV)
foreign tyrant
 Pro’s (Napoleonic era)
- Fairer legal + administrative
system
- Greater trading
opportunities
- End of feudalism
Con’s (Napoleonic era)
- Resented conscription
- Loss of German troops in
Russia
- Higher taxation
- Restrictions on trade with
Britain

6. No consensus about what a German nation would entail

Two models:
1. Grossdeutschland = include Austria + south
2. Kleindeutschland = an enlarged north Germany
Considerations:

No agreement on these fundamentals = less likelihood for German unity

These difficulties strengthened reactionary elements in the Bund who wanted
to avoid major change = major powers not faced with challenges to status quo
in the period immediately after 1815