economic factors

• ANALYSIS (FOR)

  • Trading became more efficient and prosperous across Germany, increasing wealth for members of the Zollverein.
  • This success showed the financial benefits of the union and created more desire for an extended union using politics, creating more support for a united Germany.
• ANALYSIS (AGAINST)

  • Some states were excluded from the Zollverein such as Austria.
  • Therefore many refused to make major decisions with Prussia without them, lessening the amount of unity between the German states.
• EVALUATION (FOR)

  • By 1836, 25 out of 39 states were members of the Zollverein which created more wealth for every state involved, sparking interest for political unity as well, as it has been described by William Carr, a "mighty lever of German unification."
• KU

  • In the early 19th century, industrialisation started to gain pace in German states with the exploitation of Germany's vast raw materials bringing wealth to an emerging middle class.
  • The development of the railways reduced the isolation between the German states and increased inter-state trade. This encouraged greater economic cooperation between states
  • As Prussia pushed for economic change, it scrapped trade tariffs in 1818 within its territories, creating free trade in which other states soon began joining which became known as the Zollverein.