cultural factors

• One of the main factors that unified all 39 Germanic states was language: all 39 states shared the same language and shared similar customs.
• There was also the growth of the German Romantic Movement in the form of art, which encouraged a separate German identity. The likes of Beethoven, a music artist, Brothers Grimm, fairytale authors, caused many parts of society to acknowledge their shared characteristics.
• This was proved by writers such as Hegel, Goethe and Schiller who recognised and encouraged people to embrace their German roots which ultimately led to a growing desire for unification.
• An example of this is the popular song that became the national anthem, known as “Deutschland über alles,” which had the notion of Germany being above all else - this heavily promoted the plea for leaders to unite Germany.
• A lot of support for German nationalism often came from university students, and organisations were often established that were loyal to the idea of a unified and independent Germany - such as the Burschenschaften.
• ANALYSIS (for)

  • Music and books (subjects of the Romantic movement) were extremely popular all over the German Bund, so inspired many to consider the benefits of a prosperous, greater, united Germany.
  • Created a sense of German greatness and nationalism in many people.
• ANALYSIS (against)

  • Only the middle class were able to access the Romantic movement, so not everyone was exposed to the cultural factors.
  • 80% of the working classes across the 16 states were illiterate, so they could not fully appreciate and comprehend the advantages of the Romantic movement.
• EVALUATION

  • As stated by historian Golo Mann, he argued that most Germans, ‘seldom looked up from the plough,’ so, this shows that most Germans were unaware of national issues around them, or were more concerned about surviving through each day and providing for their families, so the cultural factors only appealed to a very small audience suggesting a limited impact.