D. Analysis Reda Belmaachi

Question: To what extent was economic development from 1815 – 1871 the most influential in causing the unification of Germany in January 1871?
D. Analysis The German economy of 1815 was a disaster, lacking industry and urban areas. Throughout this time the states in Germany started industrializing. The state that played a great role in industrialization of German states was Prussia, its economic policy facilitated trade and economic expansion in Germany. Prussia was also in the main control of the Zollverin, who controlled most of German states. The zollverein was a custom union that involved all the Germans state economic involvement. This also caused a growth of German national consciousness, meaning German states could compare their status in the policy compared to other states, and reflect whether they would be stronger economically stronger or alone. Through the era of the 19Th century, German states developed communication and shipping, largely grew in capital and machine industry, and developed industrially. By the end of 1871 all the German states and especially Prussia, would make the greatest industrial nation of Europe if they combined, and all this economic increase also made nationalism increase. Throughout the summary of evidence, we learn that the economy and especially the industry were rapidly increasing from 1815 to 1871. This expansion formed a sort of bond with all the German states. The states knew if they could combine all this industrialization they could form a powerful industrialized country, and they decided to expand. Therefore the economic development from 1815-1871 played a great role in causing the unification of Germany, even though there are many other factors that influenced the unification. Other factors that influenced the unification in January 1871 were Bismarck, the rise of Prussia, the