How important was the strength of Austria as an obstacle for German unification between 1815-1850?
The importance of the strength of the state of Austria as an obstacle for German unification is something that is widely debated amongst historians and with the fact that the Emperor of Austria used to rule over the German states as part of the Holy Roman Empire gave Austria a degree of influence over the states by 1850. However, there were other factors that had some effect in repressing the nationalist feeling from spreading across Germany at this time and the first of which is the divisions among the German nationalists and the debate concerning the territory that should be included in a unified Germany. Also the importance of the German princes and also the religious differences between the two sections of the states which is referred to as ‘particularism’ must be looked into. The indifference of the masses is something that was seen by some as an important factor in preventing the spread of nationalism and the final limiting factor was the resentment towards Prussia, this is something that did not help the cause for German unification. Before a balanced conclusion can be reached on this issue it is essential to consider all of these factors.
With Austria already having a level of influence and authority over some of the German states as a result of the Holy Roman Empire as some saw Austria as a leader, it is the view of some that Austria was the more important limiting factor for German unification. With the chairmanship of the ‘Bund’ being given to Austria after 1815 on a permanent basis is meant that to a certain extent Austria was seen as the major power amongst the German states. The leader of Austria, ‘Metternich’ was very much opposed to the ideas of liberalism and nationalism and he worked very hard to suppress any nationalist feeling within the states and Austria itself by using diplomacy and threats of the use of force, some of the smaller German...