Zollverein

• Prussia established the Prussian Customs Union in 1819
• Prussian Customs Union

  • Abolished all internal tolls
  • Did not help trade with newly acquired territories in the Rhineland due to tariffs imposed by states like Hanover
• Baron von Motz established the Zollverein in 1834
• Zollverein

  Prussian led 18 state free trade area
• Zollverein

  • Abolished tariffs
  • Unified weights & measures
  • Encouraged development of railways to transport goods swiftly & cheaply
• First 6km railway track opened 1835
• 462km of railway track had been laid 1840
• Another 1,100km of railway track was laid in 1846
• Improved communications


  Encouraged cultural unity as previously distant parts of the confederation became closely linked
• Economic benefits of the Zollverein


  Encouraged support for the potential benefits of political unity
• Metternich: 'Called the Zollverein 'the first nail in the coffin' of Austrian domination of the Confederation'
• Metternich failed to thwart the Zollverein with a southern alternative (1851)
• By 1852 all states but protectionist Austria were members of the Zollverein, giving Prussia the leading role in the Confederation's economic affairs