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Why was Germany unified under Prussia and not under Austria?I.
 
IntroductionA.
 
Prussia was the foremost country in the unification of GermanyB.
 
Although it may have not been the intent of Prussia to unify Germany, it is certainthat Prussia had the greatest amount of influence in German politicsC.
 
Austria was not in a political, economic, or social state to take on such a significantroleD.
 
Prussia’s advantages:
 a.
 
Almost exclusive German populationb.
 
Leadership more acceptable to German liberalsc.
 
Economic strength, including Zollvereind.
 
Otto von Bismarck and diplomacye.
 
Military, as seen laterE.
 
Simply put, Prussia was in a much better position than AustriaII.
 
Economic strengtha.
 
In 1818, Prussia took the lead by abolishing all tariff barriers within its bordersb.
 
In the next few years, Prussia took the initiative to conclude tariff treaties withneighboring countriesc.
 
In 1834, the Zollverein was established
 –
a union that established free tradeamong seventeen German statesd.
 
Remarkable expansion in volume of tradee.
 
Undermined the dominant position of the Habsburg monarchyIII.
 
Bismarck’s diplomacy
 a.
 
Became PM of Prussia on October 8, 1862b.
 
Outstanding statesman, practiced Realpolitik
 –
knew when to stopc.
 
Polish Revolt
 –
February 1863i.
 
Revolt in the Russian part of Polandii.
 
While other countries, including Austria, supported the rebels, Bismarcksent Prussian troops to support Russia in quelling the revoltiii.
 
Successful, Prussia supplanted Austria as Russia’s favorable country in
regards to German affairsd.
 
Convention of Gastein
 –
August 14, 1865i.
 
Prussia and Austria agreed to maintain joint sovereignty, with Prussiaadministering Schleswig and Austria administering Holstein (lay betweenSchleswig and Prussia)ii.
 
Bismarck created a situation where an incident could easily beengineered
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