The German Union (1815 - 1866)

The Confederation, called the Germanic Union, existed for just over 50 years. It was an attempt to observe a compromise between the numerous German states.

Prerequisites for creation

For most of its history, Germany was divided into many principalities, duchies and kingdoms. This was due to the historical features of the development of these territories. In the tenth century the Holy Roman Empire was established . It united all German lands, but various states within it enjoyed autonomy.

Over time, the power of the emperor was weakened, and at the beginning of the nineteenth century, Napoleonic wars broke out in Europe, which finally showed the ineffectiveness of the old system. Franz II abdicated in 1806 and became an Austrian ruler. In addition, he owned vast territories in Central Europe: Hungary, the Czech Republic, Croatia, etc.

To the north of Austria was a huge number of small states, as well as the Kingdom of Prussia, which became Austria's main rival. After Napoleon was defeated, monarchs from all over the continent met in Vienna in 1814 to discuss the future world order. The German question was one of the key, because the Holy Roman Empire de facto no longer existed.

The decision of the Congress of Vienna

By decision of the Vienna Congress on June 8, 1815, the German Union was created. It was a confederation - a union of independent states. They all had a common German identity. An important role in the creation of the confederation was played by Austrian diplomat Clemens Metternich.

Borders

The borders of the German Union included 39 members. All of them were formally equal, despite the fact that the titles of the rulers were noticeably different. The German Union included the Austrian Empire, the kingdoms of Bavaria, Württemberg, Hanover, Prussia, Saxony, and many principalities. There were also city republics (Bremen, Hamburg, Lübeck and Frankfurt), which throughout the Middle Ages and modern times enjoyed the privileges granted by the Kaiser.

The largest countries, Prussia and Austria, also owned land that was not de jure part of the German Union. These were the provinces where other peoples lived (Hungarians, Poles, etc.). In addition, the creation of the German Union stipulated the special status of German territories located in other states. For example, the British crown also owned the kingdom of Hanover. The dynasty ruling in London received it as a legacy from relatives.

Political features

Also, a representative body of the German Union-the Allied Assembly-was created. It was attended by representatives of all members of the confederation. Since the meeting was held in Frankfurt, it was this city that was considered the formal capital of the association. The number of representatives of one state depended on its size. Thus, Austria had the largest number of delegates in the assembly. At the same time, the representative body rarely met in its entirety, and current issues could be resolved with a small number of votes.

The creation of the German Union was primarily necessary for small states that wanted to preserve the former position that existed before the invasion of Napoleon. The pan-European war intermixed borders within Germany. Napoleon created puppet states that did not last long. Now small princedoms and free cities, having been left without protection by the supreme authority in the person of the Holy Roman Empire's emperor, tried to protect themselves from aggressive neighbors.

The German Union of 1815 was distinguished by a great variety of political forms. Some of its states continued to live under the autocracy, others had representative bodies, and only in units had its own constitution limiting the power of the monarch.

Revolution of 1848

During the existence of the German Union in the territory of all its states, the industrial revolution and economic growth began. As a consequence, the position of the proletariat worsened, which was one of the reasons for the revolution of 1848. Popular actions against the authorities at the same time were held in many other countries, including France. In Austria, the revolution also had a national character - the Hungarians demanded independence. They were defeated only after the troops of the Russian monarch Nicholas I arrived to the emperor.

In other German states, the revolution of 1848 led to liberalization. In some countries, a constitution was adopted.

Austro-Prussian War and dissolution

Over the years, the difference in economic development between the various members of the union only increased. The most powerful countries were Prussia and Austria. It was between them that a dispute broke out - around whom Germany would be united. The German people increasingly wanted to unite in one state, as it was in all European countries.

The German Union could not contain these contradictions, and in 1866 the Austro-Prussian war broke out. Vienna and Berlin decided to resolve their dispute with weapons. In addition, Italy was on the side of Prussia, which wanted to get Venice, which belonged to Austria, and to finish its own association. The small German states split up and stood on opposite sides of the barricades.

Prussia won this war due to economic superiority over the rival. The greatest contribution to success was made by the legendary Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, who for many years pursued a policy of strengthening his country. The victory of Prussia led to the fact that the German Union ceased to be relevant. He self-dissolved on August 23, 1866, a month after the end of the war.

In exchange, Prussia created the North German Union, and in 1871 the German Empire was created. It included all German lands, including those recovered after the war with France. Austria remained behind these events and became a double monarchy - Austria-Hungary. Both empires were destroyed after the First World War.