Summary
Highlights
German unification was the most important political development in Europe between 1848 and 1914. It fundamentally altered the balance of power by creating a German superstate around Prussia, where previously Austria and Prussia were the dominant German states.
The division in Germany can be traced back to the Holy Roman Empire. Napoleon's abolition of the Empire led to the consolidation of 300+ German states into 39, fostering German nationalism and the desire for a unified German state based on shared language and culture.
The Congress of Vienna left unanswered the question of who would dominate the german-speaking peoples. Two models arose: 'Grossdeutschland' (big Germany, including Austria) and 'Kleindeutschland' (small Germany, excluding Austria).
The Zollverein, a German free trade agreement, abolished internal tariffs in northern Germany. This marked the first time in Europe where an economic union existed without a corresponding political union.
The Revolutions of 1848 led to the Frankfurt Parliament, a pan-German parliament, attempting to draft a constitution for a unified Germany based on liberalism. They proposed a constitutional monarchy with a two-house legislature.
The Frankfurt Parliament offered the crown to Frederick William IV of Prussia, who rejected it, refusing to accept a crown from a legislature. This concluded the attempt of unifying Germany on a liberal basis.