Obstacles to German Unification

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Obstacles

The process of the unification of Germany started during the 19th century due to several factors, mainly, nationalism. Though, this process was often hindered by a number of causes which proved to be obstacles of the unification.

Firstly, not all the 39 states want to unify in fact. Although they were in the German Confederation, they were ruled by different powers before or even the set up of German Confederation. For example, people were mainly Protestant in the north while Roman Catholic in the south and conservatism and absolutism in government were supported in the north since in the south, people were supporting liberal ideas. Since they have such differences, there were difficult to find a way to standardize organization and administration.

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There was opposition among the German speaking regions. The German states reached no agreement on how they should be united. There was even a question that if all German speaking land should united into a nation. The Austrian opposed the plan since this may spread nationalism which may result in the collapse of her multi-national empire. Also, her non-German subjects were a barrier to the road to unification. Prussia and other smaller states did not agree the unity of Germany as the latter was afraid of the loss of powers.

Besides, the opposition of the powers also made the unification ...

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