Description
Book SynopsisIt is often argued that the unification of Germany in 1871 was the inevitable result of the convergence of Prussian power and German nationalism. John Breuilly here shows that the true story was much more complex. For most of the nineteenth century Austria was the dominant power in the region. Prussian-led unification was highly unlikely up until the 1860s and even then was only possible because of the many other changes happening in Germany, Europe and the wider world.
Table of ContentsPart One: Analysis. 1 Introduction. 2 From defeat to triumph, 1806-1815. 3 Cooperative Domination, 1815-48. 4 Austria and Prussia lose control, 1848-1849. 5 Counter-revolution, Cooperation and Conflict, 1849-1858. 6 From Cooperation to War, 1858-1866. 7 The Definitive Exclusion of Austria from Germany, 1867-1871. 8 Comparing Austria and Prussia. 9 Conclusion. Part Two: Documents. 1 End of Empire and formation of Rheinbund. 2 Peace of Tilsit between France and Prussia, 9 July 1807. 3 ‘A good revolution’: Hardenberg’s Riga Memorandum. 4 Peace of Schönbrunn between France and Austria, 14 October 1809. 5 Stein to Count Münster, 1 December 1812. 6 Convention of Tauroggen, 30 December 1812. 7 Ernst Moritz Arndt: ‘To the Prussians!’, January 1813. 8 Prussian introduction of universal conscription. 9 Frederick William III: ‘An Mein Volk’, 17 March 1813. 10 Kalisch Declaration of March 1813. 11 Metternich’s interview with Napoleon, Dresden, 16 June 1813. 12 Military forces at the Battle of Leipzig, October 1813. 13 Frederick William III promises a constitution, 22 May 1815. 14 German Confederal Act, 8 June 1815. 15 Vienna Final Act, 15 May 1820. 16 Petition for a single customs system, April 1819. 17 Customs union agreement between Prussia and the Grand Duchy of Hesse, February 1828. 18 Memorandum of Prussian Finance Minister Friedrich von Motz, 1829. 19 Metternich’s reaction to Prussian customs union policy, June 1831. 20 Prussia extends its influence through customs agreements, November 1831. 21 Paul Pfizer: On the aims and tasks of German liberalism, Tübingen, 1832. 22 &
