The German Confederation was a loose association of 39 German states established in 1815 by the Congress of Vienna after the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte. This confederation aimed to coordinate the economies of the separate German-speaking states, manage defense, and preserve the balance of power in Europe following the Napoleonic Wars.
Formation
Structure and Governance
- The confederation was governed by the Federal Assembly (Bundestag), where each state had a vote, but the larger states like Austria and Prussia had more influence due to their size and power.
- Decisions required unanimous consent, which often led to paralysis in decision-making, especially in matters of foreign policy and military action.
- The confederation was intended to be a defensive alliance against external threats but was largely ineffective in this role due to the lack of a unified military command.
Political and Economic Impact
- The German Confederation did foster some economic cooperation, most notably through the German Customs Union (Zollverein), which was established in 1834. This union excluded Austria and was dominated by Prussia, leading to increased economic integration among the northern and central German states.
- Politically, the confederation was marked by tension between the liberal aspirations of the smaller states and the conservative policies of Austria and Prussia, which suppressed democratic movements like the Hambach Festival in 1832.
Dissolution and Legacy
External Links
Related Topics