Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Industrialization and Literacy Contribute to Independence




Throughout our reading of Germany a New History there are has been a reoccurring theme of German freedom and statehood. In the time period from 1840 to 1871 Germany saw its fair share of ups and downs. There was a general goal throughout the nation that they wanted to become a state. However, it is extremely apparent that there was not enough consensus of where to start that it failed at first. In the years around 1840 France was again trying to expand its borders toward Germany, much like Napoleon had tried earlier (pg 119). This movement started mass protest in Germany, and reignited nationalism throughout the German nation. This is unique because of the correlation it has with American history. Throughout American colonialism Americans wanted independent freedom from Great Britain. Much like the Germanic nation wanted their own state. Germans set up own unique groups or movements like the “Turnbewegung” in order to get the German people ready for statehood. This also compares to American history when we were trying to gain independence by following groups such as the Sons of Liberty that were men that later helped draft the Declaration of Independence. The one thing that these groups had in common was that they were all educated men.
            Germans throughout early history have been known as a very rural group of people and also a very uneducated nation. Hagen gives us a great example on page 119 of another reason why the press for independence was growing. He state in a caption that “Around 1770 about 15 percent of adults in Germany could read and write; by 1840 the number had grown by half—a true revolution.” The fact that their literacy rate had grown by 15 percent in 70 years was a huge advantage for supporters of independence. This meant that activist were able to spread their word and feel comfortable that the German people were able to understand the importance of the issue. Like Hagen said this improvement in German education was a true revolution but there was also another revolution that paid dividends to the cause.            
            Germany also began to advance their industrial systems, this decision along with the improvement in literacy rate were two of the key impacts on German independence. In late 1835 Germany had exactly 3.7 miles worth of railroad tracks. By 1848 there were over 3000 miles worth of rail cover twice as many miles as France had (pg 130). This is a monumental feet for German people it gave them the ability to transport goods and more importantly food across the country. It also made travel much easier for important individuals that were involved in the revolutionary efforts. It also allowed for military units and materials to be transported very quickly. These advances played a huge part in the Austro-Prussian War. Especially at the battle of Koniggratz, were the Prussians halted the Austrian troops in July of 1866. The Prussian General Helmuth von Moltke used rail and telegram to center his attack on one location and devastate the Austrians (pg 141). He would not have been able to claim this battle with out the advancement in technology due to the German industrial revolution. Hagan says this “in light of the Prussian victory, as a step forward to German unity” (pg 141). It was only a matter of 5 years later that the former Prussian king would be named German Emperor.  None of this would have been able to happen if it were not for the German people being able to understand fully what was happening in the situation through the climb in literacy, or the huge boom of industrialization that allowed Germany to connect their country. 


This picture represents the major rail industrial revolution that took place from 1835 to 1848 where Germans added over 3000 miles in track. This was later pivotal in trade and military transportation. 


Otto von Bismarck was a master mind behind military techniques and development of an army. He posed as Minister President for Prussia during the time German independence took place. 

This is a picture of Germany in the early 1800's. This picture shows the multiple kingdoms and principalities that were ruling during the time period. The mass amount of principalities played a huge part in gain independence because of the constant fight for who would get rights to power if there was unification. 

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