The Zollverein was a great success and was a large step to the unification of Germany. The systems of weights and measures was homogenised within the states of the Zollverein. The major differences between the states were now becoming not so apparent. Due to the abolition of customs barriers and the currency no longer varying from each state trade increased between the countries. This did not occur however without the help of the railways. Lines were extended throughout the states of the Zollverein. Because of this, delegates were able to travel quickly and efficiently to other states to agree trade treaties. Communication between the states increased greatly and now not only were economic barriers broken down but also physical ones. Communication to enable unity increased greatly through the railways. One economist described the railway network as ‘the firm girdle around the loins of Germany binding her limbs together into a forceful and powerful body’.
The Zollverein also aided in the unification of Germany as it increased feelings of ‘one country’ in other words, nationalism. The railways helped with the spread of German press. Now state news would become a national affair. They also helped as thy made Germans more mobile. They were able to travel more freely to neighbouring states and not have to worry about the hassle of transport.
Germany was to unify under Prussia however it was also a great possibility that they would and could unify under Austria. Austria looked the most likely to begin with, as they were lager however by the exclusion of Austria from the Zollverein the power began to shift to Prussia. Austria was exempt from the trading laws and any economic growth of the Zollverein would only highlight how well it was doing and how badly Austria was. Because of this it seemed evermore likely that the states would unify under Prussia. By 1851 all the states had joined the Zollverein and only Austria was left out.
All of these economic factors created a sense of Nationalism between the sates of Germany however was this enough to fully unify Germany? To conclude whether it was ‘coal and iron’ which unified Germany and not ‘blood and iron’ we have to look at the attempts to unify through economy before Bismarck came along with ‘blood and iron’.
The first and failed attempt to unify was in 1848. It was in the form of a revolution from the people. They were unsatisfied, as it had become very hard as a peasant to make a living. Many owed feudal dues to landowners; others were landless who worked for Junkers, landowning military aristocracy. Not only were working conditions less than favourable, living conditions were worse. This caused resentful feelings among the peasants. News of the overthrow of King Louis-Philippe in France spread revolution in many small South-West German states which then spread north. From these revolutions, a Vorparlament formed to decide political changes of Germany and to create a ‘united Germany’. It failed however as it largely represented one walk of life, that with university degrees. There were only a few who actually represented the majority of Germany therefore voices of a large group in Germany would not be heard as an overall majority. The members who were elected could not even find a majority among themselves. It looked less and less likely that the
Frankfurt parliament would be uniting Germany. This was not an attempt at unification however was the first time a wish on the part of Prussia was shown to unify the states.
The second and also failed attempt to unify Germany took place in 1851. This second attempted time to unify Germany under economic ties shows that economy was still not enough.
Economically the states had been brought together but when the Erfuhrt parliament had their first meeting, the majority of the states did not show as they were at a meeting of the Bund being held by Austria at the same time. This shows that even though the states were economically unified under Prussia through the Zollverein they still turned to Austria when it came to political matters. To be able to unify, the states needed to come together both economically and politically under Prussia. Bismarck realised that however much Germany was economically unified, it would take a lot more than he expected for them to unite politically under Prussia. This would be the final step in the unifying of Germany, as economy was not enough to bring it together. He saw that the states already had taken Austria’s side politically. He would need to show that Prussia was the country to unite under and highlight that they should not unify behind Austria.
The failure to unify twice through ‘coal and iron’ shows that it was ‘blood and iron’ which Germany unified under. Bismarck moved into three wars before German unification was achieved.
Nationalist feeling increased greatly against one common and old enemy when France threatened to invade Germany through the Rhine-land. It was attempt for the other powers to bow to her concerning a crisis in the Near East. Poems such as Deutschland über alles (Germany above others) entered along with many nationalist songs.
The first war occurred in 1864 concerning the duchies Schleswig-Holstein. The ruler of these duchies, who was also the ruler of Denmark, died and the successor had already been agreed. Christian of Glucksburg was to be the new ruler of Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein however he wanted to bring the two together. Holstein refused to swear allegiance to the King. King Christian then incorporated Schleswig into Denmark which violated the treaty of 1852, great uproar occurred in Germany sparking nationalist feeling. They condemned the King’s actions and felt that the duchies should not be under the control of Denmark. In 1863 the states sent in troops to Holstein on behalf of the Duke of Augustenburg who became a national figure in Germany uniting both Liberals and Conservatives. War broke out in 1864 but did not last for long. It ended in a defeat for Denmark.
Bismarck accepted that the duke would become the ruler of the duchies however he wanted him to be installed on conditions of Prussia. The Duke and Austria greatly opposed saying that he would become under Prussia’s power having to do whatever Bismarck called for. Bismarck ideally wanted to have the duchies annexed but without a war with Austria this would not be possible. Bismarck made clear that not only would the issue of the duchies be resolved but also the issue over the control over Germany. Prussian-Austrian relations deteriorated and both prepared for war. Bismarck invaded Holstein so putting a challenge up to Austria. Austria asked for support from the Federal army however Bismarck told them to demobilise and if they were to support Austria it would be considered a war against Prussia. It was outvoted seven to nine. Political loyalty however still lay with Austria, as was reflected. A seven week’s war with Austria took place. Austria had a war on two fronts and with Prussia, their weapons did not match theirs. She was finally defeated at the Battle of Sadowa. Prussia now gained political loyalty as they were to dictate the terms of the peace treaty. Now Prussia had not only economic unity under the Zollverein but political through the treaty. This treaty abolished the Bund and Austria was excluded from the North German Confederation.
By this evidence it can be seen that ‘blood and iron’ was the main factor which unified Germany. It is hard to conclude however that it was only military force. Without economic unity the states might never have united behind Prussia and just seen her as a tyrant, not a leader. The weapons for war with Austria would not have been available and it also created a great sense of nationalism within the states, permitting success in war. Through war Bismarck was able to unite Germany politically under Prussia as well. War with Austria was necessary as Bismarck needed to show that she was weak and should not be supported, so unity under Prussia would be achieved. Solely ‘coal and iron’ did not succeed in unification but with the help of Bismarck and ‘blood and iron’ this was possible.
