The Growth of Nationalism 1815 - 1850

1. The Growth of Nationalism1815 - 1850 Despite the obstacles, nationalism did grow between 1815 and 1850 due to: Cultural Factors Economic Factors Political factors

2. 1. Cultural Factors • Nationalist societies • Created in the universities- lecturers and groups of students, middle class intellectuals, thinkers • Created because • The 1815 settlement in Vienna made few allowances to liberal and nationalist demands, so groups were created to increase pressure for change. • Eg: Fichte: “Whenever a separate language is found there is also a separate nation which has the right to manage its affairs independently and rule itself.”

3. 1. Cultural Factors • 1817 The Wartburg Festival, Saxony. • 500 students got together to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the defeat of Napoleon. • Demonstrations against undemocratic government in Germany and Austrian interference in Germany. • Burned books of anti-nationalist authors. • Burned effigy of Metternich • 1819 a student murdered anti-liberal writer, Kotzebue

4. 1. Cultural Factors • Response of Metternich to Wartburg demos: • The Carlsbad Decrees of 1819. (draconian) • Strict censorship of the press introduced in Germany • Student societies suppressed • Political meetings banned • Liberal university teachers sacked • Student leaders imprisoned

5. 1. Cultural Factors • The impact of Carlsbad decrees • Suppressed German nationalism and liberalism for 30 years • Emphasised the dominance of Metternich’s Austria

6. 1. Cultural Factors • Conclusion • The importance of cultural nationalism in the growth of nationalism • Promoted the idea that there was a common German identity • Was never strong enough to unite Germany • Limited to intellectuals and middle class (low numbers) • Not well organised • No military strength • Did not appeal to the masses (working class)

7. 2. Economic Factors Historiographicalnote: • Some historians argue economic factors were a major force in unification. • Others argue political factors were more important. • We will look at the economic factors argument first

8. 2. Economic Factors • Population growth • 1816 – 25 million • 1845 – 34 million • Growth of towns (urbanisation) • 1815 only 10% of Germans lived in towns • By 1840s about 30% lived in towns • Growth of industry (industrialisation) • 1815 industry made up of small workshops, many still in rural locations. • By 1840s large cotton mills, iron and engineering works appearing

9. 2. Economic Factors • The Zollverein