German Confederation, Nationalism, and 19th Century Political Movements

Define the 'German confederation'

A loose political organisation formed by independent states.

Which meeting arranged the nature and course of Europe following the defeat of Napoleon in 1815?

Congress of Vienna

Name the two most powerful states in the German Confederation by 1840

Prussia and Austria

What political system controlled most German states in the early 19th century

Absolutism

Define 'reactionary'

Reacting negatively to the possibility of radical change

Whom were the Junkers?

East Prussian aristocrats dominating the government, civil service and the army.

Name the reactionary chancellor of Austria in this period

Metternich

Define 'Liberalism'

A doctrine promoting the protection of individual freedoms.

Give an example of a reactionary policy of the 19th century that attempted to arrest the rise of Liberalism and Nationalism in the German states.

Carlsbad decrees (1819), Congress of Troppau (1820)

Give an example of a Liberal group or event of the early 19th century

Young Germany movement

Give an example of a Nationalist group or movement of the early 19th century

Hambach festival (1832), Wartburg meeting (1817)

Give an example of a Liberal political change enacted after the 1830 July revolution in France

Brunswick - Duke driven out and successor granted a new constitution, Saxony and Hesse Cassel gained more Liberal constitutions, Bavaria, Baden and Wurtemburg gained greater freedom of the press allowing criticism of the government, Hanover gained a constitution in 1832

Which claim was revived by France in 1840 that precipitated the 'Rhine crisis'?

That France's eastern boundaries should follow the Rhine in the north and the Alps in the South

Why did this claim spark controversy in the German confederation?

It could mean that France would be granted 30,000 km² of German (mainly Prussian) land

Why did the Austrian and Prussian governments welcome the subsequent rise in nationalism?

It could be used to increase the standing of the German Confederation against foreign powers within Europe. Also it could be used to check German liberals who looked to France for influence

Why did the Austrian and Prussian governments fear the rise in nationalism?

Could build momentum and upset the status quo

Where is Schleswig Holstein?

Two duchies on the border of Denmark

What was the problem for King Christian VIII if he incorporated these duchies into his kingdom?

Predominantly German and Holstein was part of the German confederation

How did the Federal Diet react to the crisis?

Issued a proclamation calling on Christian to pay due deference to the rights of the confederation

What was the attitude of the ruling classes to the Schleswig-Holstein crisis?

Fear of inciting nationalist feelings in the German confederation and upsetting the status quo