The Growth of Nationalism1815 - 1850

Despite the obstacles, nationalism did grow between 1815 and 1850 due to:

1. Cultural Factors2. Economic Factors3. Political factors

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.”

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

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

1. Cultural Factors

• The impact of Carlsbad decrees– Suppressed German nationalism and liberalism for

30 years– Emphasised the dominance of Metternich’s

Austria

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)

2. Economic Factors

Historiographical note:– 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

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

2. Economic Factors

• The Zollverein