Economic Forces

What was the Prussian Customs Union and why is it important?

1818: it linked Prussia’s economy internally and served as the foundation for the 1834 Zollverein.

What was the Zollverein?

1834: Customs union established in 1834, led by Prussia, which abolished internal tariffs between German states and promoted free trade creating a single economic market

• Austria refused to join as it had a protectionist policy and joining it would mean reducing import duties to the same level as other states

What were the economic effects of industrialisation in 19th-century Germany?

• Rapid growth of coal, steel, and textile industries.

• Expansion of factories and urban centres.

• Increased trade and overall economic output.

What were the social effects of industrialisation?

• Urbanisation: workers moved to cities for factory jobs.

• Growth of a working class and an industrial middle class.

• Poor working conditions, long hours, and low wages led to social tensions.

How did industrialisation contribute to the rise of socialism?

• Exploitation and inequality among workers led to socialist ideas gaining popularity.

• Workers formed trade unions and socialist parties, demanding better wages, working conditions, and political representation.

• Socialism appealed to those affected by rapid industrial change and promoted ideas of economic fairness.

How did railways impact German society?

• cheaper to transport goods

• encouraged economic activity

• broke down local and regional barriers

• demand for iron + steel encouraged coal production

How did economic integration promote national unity?

• Trade links and infrastructure (railways) connected regions and reduced regional isolation.

• Shared economic benefits made political unification more appealing.

• Industrial growth created a middle class and urban workforce that supported reform and national cohesion.